Thriller Analysis: Saw V

Saw V(2008)

Director: David Hackl

Writers: Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan

Stars: Scott Patterson, Costas Mandylor, Tobin Bell

Plotline

Following Jigsaw's grisly demise, Mark Hoffman, the final apprentice to the serial killer is deigned a hero. Meanwhile, Agent Strahm continues to track Hoffman while another group of strangers are put through a series of gruesome traps.

Storyline

 Jigsaw and his young apprentice, Amanda, are dead. But the grisly games continue. 5 supposed strangers find themselves in the midst of the big game, and believe they are in a survival of the fittest competition. Via his now infamous video linked doll, Jigsaw conveys the message that they should ignore their instincts, and ignore his advice at their peril. Meanwhile, agent Strahm wants to prove that Hoffman is an apprentice to Jigsaw, and pursues him as he continues his twisted games. What Strahm does not realise is that Hoffman is testing him all along, and must pass his test in order to stay alive.

Opening Title Sequence

 

The titles of the production companies appear in their signature animations (twisted pictures, lionsgate) and then the film's actual titles with the same fade in and out transition as a white shimmer travels across the letters. The text of the titles are 3D with shadows on an unclear but stained surface. They slowly increase is in size as the the dynamics to the score increase.
Seth Baxter, a convicted murderer released from prison on a technicality, awakens chained to a table underneath a pendulum blade. A videotape informs him that crushing his hands between the presses will release him. He does so, but the blade still swings down and cuts him in half, as someone watches through a hole in the wall. The set of the sequence is consisted of low key lighting, extreme close ups, fast panning camera and minimal ambient sound. The score to this scene mainly consists of SFX and quiet strings. Low piano notes are then included when danger is introduced. As the scene slows to an end the diegetic sound of the pendulum and blood fades out and we then are zoomed into the the main title of 'Saw V'.