SPOILER WARNING!
Saw V finds the survivors of the previous installment fighting for their lives and trying to unravel the seriously twisted web that Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) left behind. As new found enemies face off in a battle of life and death, Jigsaw’s newest game is underway. Stories become more intertwined than ever before, and Jigsaw’s legacy lives on through his most recently revealed cohort, Mark Hoffman--Costas Mandylor.
The story of Jigsaw, and those he has used to play out his twisted games of fate, is developed even further. Audiences are officially introduced to his new cohorts, explained his origins and are finally able to understand who is involved and why. Torture and pain, while still prevalant throughout the series, has taken a back seat to the incredibly interesting Jigsaw (aka John Kramer). The series has become less about teaching those who have wronged others a lesson and more about unraveling the mystery that is John Kramer.
Since the first installment of the Saw franchise, audiences have been engrossed in Jigsaw’s story as it is slowly pieced together. Bit by bit the viewers are given meager shreds of information that hold so much weight, and it forced those viewers to yearn for more information regarding the notorious “killer.” Saw V was no different. However, one aspect of the series that audiences have come to expect is that of violence, pain and severe torture. This portion of the series has run itself dry at this point. The despicable games were a part of Jigsaw’s life, and now they are part of his legacy, however, the new games--the ones that take place after his death--bear no weight on his life or on his story. Yes, the game that takes place during Saw V plays a role in the major revelation at the end of the film, but, ultimately, the game seems useless.
As a viewer, and a fan of the deep and somewhat moving story of John Kramer, I personally wanted the series to vere from the games and focus on the seemingly growing following of Jigsaw. His story is interesting and full of the twists and turns that audiences have come to expect from the series. His story needs to take charge as it may very well be the only way that the series can continue successfully. Writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan added to the story and developed the story of Mark Hoffman enough to carry the series from here on out. However, their inability move away from the needless games of torture and demise caused the film to fall short of the ever growing expectations of the series.
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