Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

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Saw VI

Agent Strahm learned the truth about Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor), but the knowledge didn’t help him as he let his own arrogance get in the way and he died, while Hoffman lived to see another day.  FBI agent Erickson (Mark Rolston) is getting closer to the truth himself. Will he survive the knowledge, once he finds out? Meanwhile, the game continues, beginning with two co-workers at an insurance company who must give up the proverbial pound of flesh in order to save themselves… or should I say, save one of them, for only one can win this game.

The sixth installment in the Saw series continues where the fifth left off. Hoffman has been acting as Jigsaw’s accomplice, but it seems as though the FBI might be closing in, having realized the voice on the tape isn’t John Kramer’s. What if their analysis is successful? Will they unmask Hoffman? Why does Agent Erickson focus so heavily on Kramer’s ex, Jill (Betsy Russell)? She was an innocent pawn in all of this… wasn’t she?

In this installment, the game centers around employees of an insurance company who have long defrauded their customers, including John Kramer. Despite being dead, he had everything planned, and he intends to show these people the consequences of their actions. It’s easy to make a decision about someone’s life when you don’t know that person and never will. But what if it’s someone you do know, whether friend, co-worker… or loved one?

I find the character of Mark Hoffman to be very intriguing. I think he is a better assistant than Amanda. The series continues to be very interesting. I like the acting, the plot, the direction. It’s still very enjoyable, and I went ahead and watched the next one, which I am going to review next. I will give this film 4 Stars.

Saw: The Final Chapter

Jill Tuck (Betsy Russell), John Kramer’s (Tobin Bell) ex, seeks protective custody, but will she give up Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) in order to get what she wants? Detective Matt Gibson (Chad Donella) is counting on it. Meanwhile, Jigsaw survivor/self-help guru Bobby Dagen (Sean Patrick Flanery) is making a living by assisting other survivors to cope with the aftermath of their torturous time with Jigsaw. But his own dark secrets threaten to overwhelm him and he is forced to fight to protect his family and friends. Will he succeed?

As in the other installments of this series, the emphasis is on how actions have consequences, the same

thing John Kramer has said from the beginning. The people he targets all have something to atone for, and they all have choices to make. Hoffman is carrying on Jigsaw’s legacy, despite being hindered by Jill.

I know others think the series went downhill after the first film, but I disagree. And despite being labeled the final chapter, spoiler alert – it isn’t. I know of three more, and another one is coming out this year. So it’s far from dead. The games are good good, as well as gory. I am especially looking forward to Saw X, since it takes place earlier in the series and we’ll see more of John Kramer. Bobby Dagen deserves what he gets, trust me. I did like this one too and I’ll give it 4 Stars.