Spiral: From the Book of Saw appears as though it isn't Saw 9 yet is occurring in the Saw universe. This is a totally different film with new characters, their new miseries and feelings and intentions which isn't at all fascinating to see rather it simply creates the impression that yelling and screaming at everybody and running like crazy are richly used to intensify the moments. But, it doesn't really happen. The movie is directed by Darren Lynn Bousman who has prior directed numerous horror films including films like Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV, Mother's Day, Tales of Halloween, St. Agatha, and Death of Me, and most of them are a disaster and you can imagine what could anyone expect from this film.
During a procession on the Fourth of July, an off-duty cop is attacked by a man who was wearing a pig mask. Later he woke up and ends up hanging in a functioning subway tunnel with his tongue stuck in a trap and afterward we hear a voice saying to him - "detach your tongue and live, or hang there till a train comes and kills you". In any case, he can't get away from the trap on time, and a train hits and crushes his body in ketchup. Now the following day, this episode is beating the news channel and Capt. Angie Garza (Marisol Nichols) assigns Det. Ezekiel/Zeke (Chris Rock) and a freshman Det. William Schenk (Max Minghella) to investigate this case.
And, soon Zeke understands that is the same as Jigsaw's killings, but he's dead. At that point, another cop is snatched and is put in a trap where he fails to free himself and dies. Also, Zeke's dad Marcus Banks (Samuel L. Jackson) likewise disappears. So who's this copycat killer? And why he/she is targeting cops? Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger have written the film and its previous installment Jigsaw too, however, the writers here miss to recreate the experience that genuine Saw fans are desiring. In a short runtime, the happenings are occurring too quickly, the characters are being set up only for it.
Zeke is an optimistic cop who once turns one of their cops in because of killing a witness and from that point he has to watch over his shoulder concerning who may stab him at the back and has a sour relationship with his dad, everything is so hurriedly shown in addition to the flashbacks, and the dismal thing is we hardly feel for them. The terrible news for the horror fans, the death scenes are not the highlight scenes of the film now, even one of the horrendous parts of the franchise Saw VII conveyed some stunning violent and creative death scenes. Spiral has nothing kind of originality in those scenes, rather they are basic.
Remove your tongue and save your life, detach your finger and save yourself from being electrocuted or shoot the mark to save your father, these are so exhausting and not a treat, nothing goes to the bar that has been already set by the predecessors. Remember, in the opening scene of Saw VI, the two needed to carve out the flesh from their own bodies, whoever flesh weighs more escapes the trap that they are wearing on their head. And, the young lady just hacked off her hand, oh my goodness. It was an extremely intense and exciting scene. That is the thing that we're missing here - adrenaline-charged sequences. The police investigation is fine yet that is not what the genuine Saw fans are pursuing.
Spiral is a different film regardless of whether it is set in the Jigsaw killer universe, it is distinctive considering its execution and budget, yet follows similar philosophical touch of justice for the innocents and redemption and atonement however in a dull manner. The flashbacks are too many which shows what truly happened when Zeke's dad was a cop, which could have been wrapped up with a sentence yet no, the film squanders its valuable five to seven minutes clarifying a basic catastrophe. The performances are fine, however. Chris Rock is charming and engaging playing a principled and moral Det. Ezekiel Banks or Zeke and brings wit to this character.
Max Minghella as Det. William Schenk also figures out how to leave his mark while Marisol Nichols as Capt. Angie Garza looks sharp and confident and did a great job. Samuel L. Jackson as Marcus Banks brings his magic and fun that he's known for and is consistently a pleasure regardless of whether the character isn't very much evolved. All characters are wooden boxes which the writers attempt to build up by giving glimpses of yelling and shouting of them to each other which implies there is nothing good between them and when the writers felt that it's becoming too much, at that point come flashbacks.
The cinematography by Jordan Oram misses the dreadful atmosphere that James Wan's Saw had. Regardless of whether you're seeing any death trap scene, it's rarely that tensed or horrible. It was not for me at least, but rather for weak-hearted, it's still a NO-NO. Charlie Clouser's background score is spot on. So, Spiral: From the Book of Saw is a step up from some awful past Saw films however misses the mark in the death scenes which the Saw franchise is known for. It is lacking in thrilling moments, great characters, and a serviceable storyline. I enjoyed Jigsaw yet Spiral somewhere failed to impress me.
Rating:- 2/5
Now available via Video on Demand.
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