John Kramer (the criminal genius also known as Jigsaw) is finally dead, but his instructive murder mazes are not. SWAT Commander Rigg (Lyriq Bent) is tested on his desire to save everyone, when he is given ninety minutes to save two of his fellow officers. At the same time, two FBI agents consult Jigsaw's ex-wife (Betsy Russel) to uncover the root of his mania.
Review
Saw III ends with the death of Jigsaw and one of his victims trying to save his innocent child. Saw IV does not pick up this thread immediately, instead it introduces new investigators who run around through Jigsaw's infamous murder mazes.
This fourth sequel deliberately leaves the narrative open, suggesting events could be taking place in the past or present. It attempts to impress with slick editing and camera work, fusing separate scenes together and blurring timeliness. For all its cinematic wizardry,it becomes a little tedious and no real bonds are formed with any of the characters.
However, the film does go to extreme lengths to fit in with the events of the earlier films. It brings back a character each from the second and third sequel, but even their presence can't redeem the thinning storyline. Even the FBI's interrogation of Jigsaw's ex-wife, seems like a poor attempt to add substance to the plot and once again the viewer can never fully engage.
Unlike its predecessors, Saw IV struggles to impress with new innovative killing entrapments and leaves us numb to the senseless violence. The viewer is not treated with the same respect as the previous films did and it is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge that the games are set to continue, despite Jigsaw's death.
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