Where Saw III succeeds is in its willingness to explore new territory on the road to bringing the trilogy to a close. With the exception of a few requisite planted seeds for a potential continuation, including a mysterious letter read by Amanda, the brief introduction of Hoffman and Jill Tuck and a tape covered in wax by John near the end of the film, one could easily never watch any of the further films and be satisfied with the film as the conclusion of the series. Beyond touching upon the fates of earlier characters like Saw's Adam and Saw II's Eric Matthews, the film dives headfirst into the relationship between John Kramer and Amanda, effectively illuminating both characters as the film courses its way to a finale that leaves both of them dead. As with the first sequel, Tobin Bell demonstrates why he owns the series and his demise at the end is undeniably ballsy for a series that would only go on to struggle to find new ways to keep going in the wake of his diminished presence. Here, too, the series finally has a player in the game worthy of sympathy in the form of Jeff, whose journey of learning whether or not to forgive those involved in the death of his son and the aftermath that ensued is far more engaging than watching a group of unlikable criminals fight with one another again and again. When Jeff's seemingly disconnected storyline finally intertwines with that of Jigsaw, Amanda and Dr. Lynn Denlon, the film serves up some of the series' tensest moments and one of its bleakest endings. Throw in some of the series' best traps, such as Troy's chain situation, the gross-out pig vat and the Rack, and there's more than enough to satiate fans' desire to see what Jigsaw conjures up.
Writer, film enthusiast, part-time gamer and watcher of (mostly) good television located on the fringe of Los Angeles, who now has his own website at www.highdefgeoff.com!
