Saw II: Special Edition DVD review

The Film:

As much as Saw was an original, fun, little film, I firmly believe the success of the franchise as it continues today and the reason the Saw series is what it is now, is because of Saw II. Yes, the first Saw was extremely successful enough to warrant this sequel, for which I’m about to praise, but Saw II offered up a blueprint for the rest of the series as well as establishing Jigsaw as a new horror icon. So what worked so well?

One thing is the brilliant casting of Tobin Bell, to play John/Jigsaw. While he was in Saw, his role was limited; here they get to expand his character. Bell delivers each line of dialogue as if it’s a combination of his last words and doctrine. He has a quite intensity, a rage lurking within, but a controlled cool about him that offers us a truly evil villain. The writing of his character is strong. The screenwriters from the first Saw are back and they must’ve loved exploring his character further because it shows and Bell is willing to deliver. Jigsaw is a brave, unique new slasher villain.

But the real reason people are talking about Saw and have helped the series become one of the most successful horror franchises in Hollywood is without a doubt Darren Lynn Bousman. Initially skeptical but curious, Bousman’s direction of this installment is a vast improvement over James Wan, who started this whole crazy series. I do not want to take anything away from Wan or Leigh Whannell for that matter, as Bousman took things they established, but the reason I’m praising him is that he took this series to a new level. While the traps in the first film were inventive and unique, Bousman’s traps and the way he films them are increasingly brutal. You feel the pain. He has a keen eye for composition too, along with the new expanded nature of the storyline, equals a devilishly grim and beautiful.

You should know the story by now. In fact, the structure of this film is replicated in the other sequels, but I enjoyed the group of characters in the trapped house, Amanda (Shawnee Smith) is an interesting and fun character, and the detective (Donnie Wahlberg) is one of the better characters to hunt Jigsaw. The film is brutal, gory, and one of the best horror sequels in a vastly long time. Saw became Saw here and all thanks to Darren Lynn Bousman.

 

The DVD:

Audio/Video: I prefer the DTS track as it sounds more developed and nuanced. It has thick bass and clear surrounds, but even if you go with the Dolby Digital EX track you’ll be happy. A new remastered cut of Saw II is offered here and it looks as good as DVD gets.

Commentaries: The first track offers us a soft-spoken, but intelligent Bosuman, along with David Hackl (the production designer and Saw V director), and Editor Kevin Greutert. This is a good track filled with fun info all about the work put into the short time it took Saw II to get to the screens. A must listen.

The other commentary features creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell, who also scripted this film and it’s goofier. I preferred the first track more the info involved with the production, but this is a fine listen either way. All Saw fans should give them a listen or two.

Disc 2:

Zombie: This is where Bousman began as we can view his student short film.

Scott Tibbs documentary: A faux documentary about Scott Tibbs and his investigation on the Jigsaw killings. It’s okay and worth a quick peek, but nothing more. 

Story behind Saw: This is a quick peek at the origins of the idea Whannell and Wan had which inspired the film series.

Gregg Hoffman: In Memorium: This is a quick tribute to the producer who died before it premiered.

Saw II is an amazing horror sequel that takes what the first film created and ups in almost everyway; better gore, better story, better traps, expanded role for Amanda, and the birth of a new horror icon-Jigsaw. But all this wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for Darren Lynn Bousman.

Rating: