Why Saw is the greatest horror film of all time.

Saw, created by James Wan and Leigh Whannell has become one of the most successful horror films of all time. With a budget of 1.2 million, James and Leigh created a masterpiece. The two was hungry to make a film after they left filmschool but could only afford one room. James and Leigh challenged themselves to create a movie although their circumstances. Saw grossed 55.1 million dollars. That's impressive and the two went onto create a plethra of films within the franchise. Now that I've given you an insight into the creators of the film, let's get into why i believe this film is the greatest horror film of all time.

The film starts of with one of our protagonists, Adam. It shows Adam gasping for air and then pulls himself out of the bathtub. The camera shows the key to his chains gets swallowed into the plug hole. This plays a very important role in one of the later films. We find out that Amanda (one of Jigsaws apprentices) purposely made it so that Adam couldn't escape. One of my favourite parts about that scene is the camera direction. They direction was calculated with the intentions of us noticing the key went down the plug hole. When you first see that scene you don't think much of the key going down the plug hole. You don't understand the importance until it's later revealed that the key going down the plug hole cemented Adams fate from the beginning. In this introduction we are given introduction to our characters, the plot and what's at stake within the first ten minutes. This really grasps the audience into what's going to happen next. There is an element of mystery and illusion. You're wondering what's smoke and mirrors and what is real. When Adam first stands up all he can do is scream for help until an erie voice is heard travelling through the darkness. When this scene occurs we're not yet introduced to Dr.Gordan yet so it's really creepy and goes back to that element of mystery. The way that Dr.Gordan delivers his lines as well while in the midst of the darkness builds the atmosphere. Gordan talks with such complexion and corruption that it kind of unsettles you until the lights are turned on and Gordan is revealed.

What i really love about these characters is that they're polar opposites of eachother but ended up in the same fate. Dr. Gordan has a great life. A beautiful family, a well supplying job but spends his time getting involved with other women. Adam hasn't had an easy life and from what his place looks like where he rests his head i can't imagine he's too well off on cash. Adam's job consists of take pictures of other people and snooping into other people's life because Adam never took the time to take the lense off and capture his own. Adam wants what Gordan has but Gordan takes his for granted. That's what makes this film so great. It gets you as a viewer in this moral complexion. You want to side with our characters because they're victims to these horrible games but you also don't disagree with why Jigsaw is doing the things he's doing. You're in a moral complex. I think what's also genius about the Saw movies is that Jigsaw never technically killed anybody. Other horror films being mentioned normally have killers, either paranormal or human. I love the fact that these films took a different approach to horror. I would argue that this film broke boundaries. This franchise took risks no other films dared to take. Sure other horror films have blood and gore but Saw has done it the best. The blood and makeup is the best I've ever seen. It's disturbing and sometimes twisted but it's not just there for shock factor it plays an important part to the movies. It shows the level that Jigsaw is willing to go with his traps to show the importance of life. Jigsaw is trying to make people see the importance of life as he has cancer and once tried to end his own life. After surviving he realised that's w the legacy he wanted to leave. Once you learn about this you do have sympathy for Jigsaw, which is kind of messed up given that he's the villain of the franchise. Jigsaw's character is played excellenty by Tobin Bell. Tobin creates an outstand performance and he's become a staple of the franchise. Everyone in this film does an amazing performance. One of my favourite appearances comes from Danny Glover (Who's not too old for this). Danny plays the derranged detective who becomes obsessed with the Jigsaw case.

My favourite scene:

I have two favourite scenes from this movie which I'll link down below. The first scene shows Adam before he is kidnapped and taken to the bathroom to meet his fate. It shows Adam in his apartment and he hears a sound in his apartment. What's genius about this scene is the way it's executed and it's very unique. Adam is a photographer so the scene uses that to it's advantage. As Adam moves around his apartment to discover the noise he uses his camera to move around his apartment. Adam uses the camera flash as a light source. This really creates atmosphere and tension. You're used to dark and dim light scenes from other horrors but this one has a unique approach. Using the camera flash as a light source has never been done before in a horror film. You're waiting for the moment for something to pop out or someone. My second favourite scene from this film and the entire franchise is the ending. (Spoiler alert ahead) In the ending we see Dr. Gordan cut off his foot so that he can escape his shackle and go get help. This part of the scene still makes me bite my teeth together because it's so intense and his acting really shows the pain he's evoking. It's a powerful scene and it shows through. The soundtrack also builds as Gordan is leaving Adam to go get help and it really adds to the atmosphere and the intensity. When you think it's all over and that our main characters have survived, Adam finds another tape in Zep's pocket. (Zep was the villain through out the film or so we think) The tape reveals everything and the film plays flashbacks throughout of what we've just watched but pieces it together, kinda like a Jigsaw puzzle. As Adam turns his head around we see John rise from the floor! Jigsaw was in the room the whole time! What a plottwist. Adams reaction to Jigsaw being in the room the whole time is truly epic and as the soundtrack closes off we hear those iconic words "Game over". The film rolls into the credits with Adams screams of peril that blends perfectly with the credit soundtrack. It's icing on the cake. The screams of horror shows he's trapped forever in that room. Even when i re-watch this film i still get chills and goosebumps. This is why i think everyone should watch this film every halloween. It's truly incredible and has taken the top spot on my list for the greatest horror film ever made. Thank you for reading!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-x9YSz2Y3o - Adam apartment scene

- Tom Bell