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Saw VI

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Saw VI
Theatrical poster
Directed byKevin Greutert
Written byPatrick Melton
Marcus Dunstan
Produced byMark Burg
Oren Koules
(producer)
James Wan
Leigh Whannell
(executive producer)
StarringTobin Bell
Costas Mandylor
Shawnee Smith
Betsy Russell
Peter Outerbridge
Mark Rolston
Athena Karkanis
CinematographyDavid Armstrong
Edited byAndrew Coutts
Music byCharlie Clouser
Production
company
Distributed byLionsgate
Release dates
October 22, 2009 (2009-10-22)
(Australia)
(New Zealand)
October 23, 2009
Running time
90 minutes
CountriesUnited States
Canada
LanguageEnglish
BudgetUSD$11 million[1]
Box office$57,369,413

The Saw VI is a 2009 horror film directed by Kevin Greutert and written by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, and is the sixth installment of the Saw film series. It stars Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell and Shawnee Smith. Greutert, who served as the editor for all the previous Saw, made his directorial debut with Saw VI. Melton and Dunstan, the writers for both Saw IV and V, returned to write the screenplay. Charlie Clouser, who provided the score for all previous Saw films, also returned to compose the score for the film. The film was released on October 23, 2009, in North America, which followed the tradition of being released the Friday before Halloween; it also followed tradition of being released in New Zealand and Australia a day earlier.

Saw VI concludes the second trilogy of the series that focused on the posthumous effects of the Jigsaw Killer and the progression of his successor, Mark Hoffman. In the film, Hoffman sets up a new trap for an insurance executive while the FBI trails the last living Jigsaw accomplice suspect, Peter Strahm. The film's plot has a heavy emphasis on the present day economic struggle of the U.S. government attempting to regulate healthcare. Saw VI was the first film to receive a Película X rating in Spain for violence (this rating is usually reserved for pornographic films), restricting screenings to eight select theaters in that country.

Plot

Simone (Tanedra Howard) and Eddie (Marty Moreau), wake up in a room with a caged-in scale in the center, wearing head harnesses. The overweight Eddie cuts fat from his body, but Simone chops her left arm off and tips the scale in her favor, saving herself. Lieutenant Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) is called to the scene by Dan Erickson (Mark Rolston), who found Peter Strahm's fingerprints around the room. Erickson also shows him that Lindsey Perez (Athena Karkanis) is alive; while explaining that he protected Perez after her incident in Saw IV due to her being a target of an unknown accomplice, now believed to be Strahm. Jill Tuck (Betsy Russell) meets with Hoffman at her clinic; he informs her that he is taking control of the games, and Jill hands him only five envelopes received in the box from John's (Tobin Bell) will.

William Easton (Peter Outerbridge), executive of the health insurance cooperation Umbrella Health, talks with his company's attorney about Harold Abbott (George Newbern), whose insurance policy was revoked after a discrepancy was found on his application and who later died from his illness. In his office, William is kidnapped and placed in a trap, with a large vise enclosing his torso, and a breathing mask covering his face. Hank (Gerry Mendicino), his janitor and a smoker, is in the same situation across from him. Hank is killed when he fails to hold his breath longer. In the second test, Jigsaw's puppet informs William that he must choose to save either his file clerk or secretary, named Allen (Shawn Ahmed) and Addy (Janelle Hutchison) respectively, and let the other die. In the end, William chooses to save Addy, and Allen is hanged by a barbed wire noose when his platform retracts. His third test takes place in a large boiler room, the company attorney, Debbie (Caroline Cave), stands at the bottom of a caged-in maze with a device on her chest set to fire a spear through her head. At the end of the maze, Debbie discovers through X-ray films that the key has been implanted in William's side, and attacks him with a circular saw, but fails to before the timer runs out and kills her. In the final test, William finds his six staff members chained to a spinning carousel with a shotgun pointed towards each person, but he can only choose to save two of the six by pushing buttons in a device that will drive spikes into his hand and divert the shotgun upward. He reluctantly chooses to save Emily and Shelby.

Meanwhile, Erickson and Perez inform Hoffman that abnormalities were found in Strahm's fingerprints, and that the scrambled voice from the Seth Baxter tape did not match Jigsaw's. They lead Hoffman to the site where the voice is being unscrambled by a technician. The moment Hoffman's voice is unscrambled from the tape, he kills all three of them and then sets their bodies on fire. Tara (Shauna MacDonald) and Brent (Devon Bostick) wake up in one locked cage, while Pamela Jenkins (Samantha Lemole) wakes up in another. The former cage contains a switch labeled "Live" and "Die". When Hoffman returns to the observation room, he finds a letter that Jill has placed on the desk, which he himself had written to Amanda and Jill enters suddenly and attacks him from behind, while William simultaneously reaches the end of his path, finding himself between the two cages. It is shown that he and Pamela are brother and sister, while Tara and Brent are the family of Harold Abbott. Now they can choose to either kill William or set him free using the marked switch next to the tank. Brent shifts the switch to "Die", and a platform of needles swings into William's back, pumping hydrofluoric acid into his body and killing him. Jill straps Hoffman to the chair and places the "Reverse Bear-Trap" on his head. She leaves Hoffman with a 45 second timer; he escapes the chair by breaking his hand and freeing himself, then jams the trap into the door's frame to stop it from fully opening, and he pulls his head free, only with his mouth partially ripped open.

Production

Development

In May 2008 it was reported that Kevin Greutert, the editor of all previous films in the franchise, would direct the sixth installment.[2] Andrew Coutts took his place as editor for the film.[3] David Armstrong returned as the cinematographer and Mark Burg and Oren Koules returned as producers of the film with James Wan and Leigh Whannell, creators of the series, returning as executive producers. Charlie Clouser again composed the score for the film.[4] Saw VI began principal photography on March 30, 2009 and wrapped on May 13, 2009.[5][6] Cinematographer David Armstrong, announced two new traps, such as a "carousel room" and "steam room". Commenting on a "carousel room", he stated: "It's very carnival, playground-like. It's just nasty. [There are] spinning red lights in there. It's really overwhelming to walk in and look at because everything is spinning." About the "steam room", he stated that "Also, there's one place called the Steam Room that's probably the best looking SAW trap of them all. It's big and expensive. It's got furnaces, fires and steam. It's multi-leveled. The most complex Saw. We had techno cranes flying through. It was pretty amazing."[7] Greutert stated that VI would have some finality to it, something he always wanted to see in the series.[7] The writers of both Saw IV and Saw V, Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan returned to write the sixth installment.[8][9] Co-writer Patrick Melton also stated that: "There's good pacing and finally there's a resolution. Finally."[10] It was stated that questions about characters, such as Jill Tuck and Lieutenant Mark Hoffman, will be answered.[7]

Themes

File:Saw VI Blood Drive.jpg
Poster for the Saw sixth annual blood drive

Greutert explained that the traps in Saw VI would take a more violent and personal approach than previous films. When compared to Saw IV and V where most of the traps were set in big rooms and involved more people at one time, he stated that the traps or "games" in Saw VI would be more personal to the victims and would be more one-on-one with the trap.[7] David Armstrong thinks visually, it might be his favorite saying, "We're kind of pulling back a little bit in the color palette. It's going to be more suggestive and not so vibrant, in your face like III and IV. It's more neutral and shows natural flesh tones. On SAW V, I pulled back a little bit and on this one, I pulled back even more."[7] Also, the film has traps that pit victims against each other, similar to the mausoleum scene from Saw IV.[4]

Casting

On July 26, 2007 it was announced that Costas Mandylor would sign on to appear as his character Mark Hoffman in Saw V and VI even before Saw IV was released.[11] When commenting on his character, the actor stated: "Hoffman is sort of torn of becoming a mad man or becoming a guy that's more composed, coming from a pure place like Jigsaw. That's my character's dilemma; does he go fucking crazy or follow the rules of the boss?"[7] Greutert had said that VI would have the most characters in any Saw film, to date, including a lot of new characters, but said that they stayed true to previous story lines to prevent any "violations of logic and chronology".[7] The then unknown actress Tanedra Howard from the 2008 VH1 Scream Queens competition won a role in VI. LionsGate made a public statement ensuring her a leading role in the film but didn't elaborate further on her character.[12] It was later confirmed on March 24, 2009 that Shawnee Smith would return in newly filmed "flashback" scenes as her character Amanda Young,[5] instead of archive footage from previous entries, which had been used in the films since her character's death in III.[13][14] On April 19, 2009 it was announced that James Van Patten would return as Dr. Heffner, previously featured in the opening scene performing the autopsy on John Kramer/Jigsaw in the fourth installment.[15] On April 29, 2009 it was reported that Peter Outerbridge had been cast as a new character William and also returning was Tobin Bell, Betsy Russell, and Mark Rolston as their characters John Kramer/Jigsaw, Jill Tuck, and Special Agent Erickson, respectively.[16] Russell commented on her character saying, "You find out a little more about if Jill is good or evil. Pretty much you'll know."[7]

Release

Saw VI was released on October 22, 2009 in Australia and New Zealand, a day earlier than the Canada, U.S. and UK release. Lionsgate also held their annual "red carpet" event for the film at Mann Chinese Theaters in Hollywood, CA, which is where most of the stars from the film attended.[17] The MPAA gave the film an R rating without running the movie for "sequences of grizzly bloody violence and torture, and language”.[18] In Spain the film was rated much heavier, with a Película X rating for extreme violence, restricting screenings to only eight pornographic theaters in that region.[19] Buena Vista, the films foreign distributor, has since filed an appeal.[20][19] Lionsgate also held their annual "Give 'Til It Hurts" blood drive which was donated to the Red Cross.[21]

Box office

Saw VI opened in 3,036 theaters at No. 2 with USD$6,957,263—$2,292 per theater, only behind Paranormal Activity.[22] This was less than any of the other Saw films to date.[23] It grossed $14,118,444—$4,650 per theater its opening weekend.[24] It still remained at No. 2, behind Paranormal Activity which was playing on only 64% as many screens as Saw VI, but made 67% more money.[25][26] On the Halloween weekend, it moved down to No. 6 and made $5,270,794—$1,736 per theater, a 62.7% decrease from the previous weekend.[27] By its third weekend it declined 61.4% and was removed from 945 theaters and fell into 11th place making $2,031,944—$972 per theater.[28] By its fourth weekend, ticket sales declined even further by 77.9% and was pulled from 1,314 theaters and made $449,512—$579.[29] After its fifth weekend it was closed out of theaters on November 24, 2009, after only 35 days. It made $91,875—$516 per theater, a 79.6% decrease. It was pulled from an additional 599 theaters, leaving only 178 by the end of its run.[30]

Saw VI began its international run in tenth place with $4.73 million on 946 screens in 11 markets. It opened in the UK, where it placed second grossing $2.683 million on 375 screens. In Australia where it place fourth place with $846,000 on 164 screens.[31] In its second week it came in eighth place with $4.48 million on 1,229 screens in 20 markets for a total of $11.86 million. The film opened in third place in Russia with $1.13 million on 273 screens while it fell to fourth place in the UK with $1.53 million on 381 screens over the weekend for a total of $6.16 million.[32] Currently, Saw Vl has come to gross $27,669,413 in the United States and Canada and an estimated $29,700,000 in international markets, with a worldwide estimated gross of $57,369,413, making it the lowest-grossing film of the series to date.[33]

Reception

Critical reviews

The film received mixed reviews from film critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 42% of 59 critics have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 4.5 out of 10. The site's general consensus is that " It won't earn the franchise many new fans, but Saw VI is a surprising step up for what has become an intricately grisly annual tradition."[34] Among Rotten Tomatoes' "Top Critics", which consists of popular and notable critics from the top newspapers, websites, television and radio programs, the film holds an overall approval rating of 25%, based on a sample of 8 reviews.[35] Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 1–100 reviews from film critics, has a rating score of 30 based on 12 reviews.[36]

Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly said that "Saw VI is the thinnest, draggiest, and most tediously preachy of the Saw films. It's the first one that's more or less consumed by backstory — which is to say, it's one of those hollow franchise placeholders in which far too many fragments from the previous sequels keep popping up in flashbacks." and went on to write "If your goal is to do a quick study for a round of Saw Trivial Pursuit, then this may be the movie for you. If you're looking to be jolted into fear or queasy laughter, skip this sequel and hope that the producers get their sick act together next time."[37] Rob Nelson of Variety wrote "Squeezing another pint of blood from its torture-porn corpus, Lionsgate slays again with "Saw VI," a film so frighteningly familiar it could well be called "Saw It Already." At least the requisite moralism is more playful than pious in this edition," but went on to praise first time director Kevin Greutert's directing stating "Presumably owing to director Kevin Greutert's work as editor of all five previous "Saw" pics, the film's juggling of chronology is the franchise's best -- "downright slick," as Jigsaw would say."[38] Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times wrote "But, really, do reformers and victims of callous health insurers really want a guy with a penchant for elaborately constructed death panels of his own to be their advocate? Elsewhere, the usual critiques apply: terrible acting, zero suspense, laughable logic and the promise of another one next year. How can we get this policy canceled?"[39]

Christopher Monfette of IGN Movies rated Saw VI three out of five and wrote that "while Saw VI certainly offers a redemption for the series and the promise of a coming power struggle for Jigsaw's legacy, Saw VII will no doubt mark the time to either shake things up or watch this franchise get the ax".[40] Kim Newman of Empire gave Saw VI 3 out of 5 stating "Saw VI gets back to Saw basics in gripping, gruesome manner."[41] Blake French of AMC Filmcritic gave Saw VI three and a half out of 5 stating "Director Kevin Greutert hasn't helmed a lot of films in the past, but he did edit all of the previous Saws. As it turns out, his mastered craft lends well to directing. He spins a taut, tight, concise web of terror and surprise. The best entry in the series since Saw II".[42] Brad Miska of Bloody Disgusting gave the film 7 out of 10 and wrote "Saw VI is faithful to the franchise and the twist/finale are 100% satisfying. Saw fans will walk out of the theater with their fists in the air with the feeling that they’ve reclaimed their beloved franchise."[43]

Home media

Soundtrack

Main article: Saw VI (soundtrack)

The Saw VI Original Motion Picture Soundtrack included music by the bands Kittie, Chimaira, Suicide Silence, Nitzer Ebb, Mushroomhead, Lacuna Coil, and Converge, among others[44] It was released on October 20, 2009, through Trustkill Records.

DVD and Blu-ray releases

The DVD and Blu-ray was released in three editions on January 26, 2010: an "R-rated Theatrical Full Screen Edition", an "Unrated Director's Cut Widescreen Edition" and an "Unrated Director's cut Blu-ray Disc"—as well as a digital download.[45] All three editions have a "2-Movie Set", which will bundle the first feature film.[45] The media has bonus features which include three featurettes that take a look at Jigsaw, the traps, and also an exclusive look at the Halloween Horror Nights "Saw: Game Over" maze.[45] Music videos by Mushroomhead, Memphis May Fire, Hatebreed and Suicide Silence was also be included with all editions.[45] The Director's Cut included a commentary track with the director, writers and producers.[46]

References

  1. ^ Fritz, Ben (October 22, 2009). "Movie projector: 'Saw' and 'Paranormal' do battle as 'Amelia' looks anemic". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved November 25, 2009. {{cite news}}: External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Aviles, Omar (May 15, 2009). "Saw VI News". JoBlo.com. JoBlo Media. Retrieved May 20, 2009. {{cite news}}: External link in |author= (help)
  3. ^ "Director Kevin Greutert Talks SAW VI!". IconsOfFright.com. June 7, 2009. Retrieved August 8, 2009. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ a b Eggertsen, Chris (October 16, 2009). "'Trilogy My Ass': A Conversation with the Filmmakers and Cast of 'Saw VI'". Bloody Disgusting. The Collective. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
  5. ^ a b Miska, Brad (March 21, 2009). "UPDATED: Shawnee Smith Returns In 'Saw VI'". Bloody Disgusting. The Collective. Retrieved March 24, 2009. {{cite news}}: External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Another Final Day (filming)". kevingreutert.com. Kevin Greutert. May 16, 2009. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Pereira, Mike (May 21, 2009). "B-D Chats With the Cast and Crew of 'Saw VI', New Traps Revealed!". Bloody Disgusting. The Collective. Retrieved May 21, 2009.
  8. ^ Walsingham, Eric; DiPietro, Gabrielle; McCabework, Joseph (November 17, 2008). "Exclusive: We Interview 'Saw VI' Director Kevin Greutert!". FEARnet. Comcast's Programming Group. Retrieved March 24, 2009. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Miska, Brad (October 4, 2009). "Horror Nights '09: 'Saw VI' Co-Writers/Director Talk". Bloody Disgusting. The Collective. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  10. ^ MattFini (August 25, 2009). "SDCC 09: What to Expect from Saw VI". DreadCentral. CraveOnline Media. Retrieved August 25, 2009.
  11. ^ Rotten, Ryan (July 26, 2007). "Actor Signs For More Saws". CraveOnline Media. ShockTilYouDrop. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  12. ^ Harris, Mark (December 21, 2008). "Tanedra Wins Scream Queens". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved December 21, 2008. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Miska, Brad (May 31, 2007). "'Saw IV' Wraps, Shawnee Update, JIGSAW!". Bloody Disgusting. The Collective. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  14. ^ Wieselman, Jarett (July 13, 2009). "Shawnee Smith: "I Can't Watch Horror Movies"". New York Post. News Corporation. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  15. ^ Miska, Brad (April 19, 2009). "New Confirmed Saw VI Casting". Bloody Disgusting. The Collective. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
  16. ^ Vejvoda, Jim (April 29, 2008). "Saw VI Plot Details Revealed". IGN Entertainment. News Corporation.
  17. ^ Miska, Brad (October 23, 2009). "Red Carpet Premiere: 'Saw VI'". Bloody Disgusting. The Collective. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
  18. ^ "Saw VI Gets R Rating". kevingreutert.com. Kevin Greutert. July 7, 2009. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  19. ^ a b Daly, Bridget (October 23, 2009). "Spain Bans Saw VI". Hollyscoop.com. DNA Group, Inc. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved November 25, 2009. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  20. ^ "Spain Bans Saw VI". Starpulse. October 23, 2009. Retrieved October 23, 2009. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  21. ^ "The Saw VI Blood Drive Nurse is Here". ShocktilYouDrop. CraveOnline Media. August 7, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  22. ^ "Daily Box Office for Friday, October 23, 2009". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. October 23, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  23. ^ "'Saw' Vs. 'Saw'". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  24. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for October 23–25, 2009". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. October 25, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  25. ^ "Weekend Estimates: Paranormal Activity Knocks Saw from its Throne". The-Numbers. Nash Information Services. October 25, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  26. ^ Corliss, Richard (October 26, 2009). "Box-Office Bloodbath: Paranormal Slays Saw VI". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  27. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for October 30–November 1, 2009". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. October 30, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  28. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for November 6–8, 2009". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. November 8, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  29. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for November 13–15, 2009". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. November 15, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  30. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for November 20–22, 2009". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. November 22, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  31. ^ "International Details - An Ugly Milestone". The-Numbers. Nash Information Services. October 30, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  32. ^ "International Details - Not Taking Any Chances". The-Numbers. Nash Information Services. November 7, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  33. ^ "Movie Saw VI – Box Office Data, News, Cast Information". The-Numbers. Nash Information Services. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  34. ^ "Saw VI (2009)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  35. ^ "Saw VI: Top Critics". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  36. ^ "Saw VI: Reviews (2009)". Metacritic. CNET Networks. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  37. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (October 23, 2009). "Saw VI Review (2009)". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner.
  38. ^ Nelson, Rob (October 23, 2009). "Saw VI Movie Review". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved December 8, 2009. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ Abele, Robert (October 24, 2009). "'Saw VI' takes a stab at healthcare reform". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  40. ^ Monfette, Christopher (October 23, 2009). "Saw VI Review at IGN". IGN Entertainment. News Corporation. Retrieved December 8, 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  41. ^ Newman, Kim (October 25, 2009). "Review of Saw VI". Empire. Bauer Media Group. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  42. ^ French, Blake (October 28, 2009). "Saw VI Movie Review". AMC Filmcritic. Rainbow Media. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  43. ^ Miska, Brad (October 28, 2009). "Saw VI Movie Reviews". Bloody Disgusting. The Collective. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
  44. ^ "Saw VI Soundtrack Final Lineup and Tracklisting Revealed". Metalundergrounds.com. September 14, 2009. {{cite news}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  45. ^ a b c d White, Cindy (December 7, 2009). "SAW VI Sees a Release Date; "2-Movie" DVD and Blu-ray sets will include the original film". IGN Entertainment. IGN Movies. Retrieved December 11, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  46. ^ Gilbert, Ammon (January 26, 2010). "DVD Review: Saw VI – Director's Cut, Unrated. Saw VI is worth the traps on DVD". Film.com. RealNetworks. Retrieved January 27, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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