 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Saw
- Review Date: February 13, 2005
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
More grisly than scary; not for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is the stuff of nightmares, even if the inured horror aficionado might not find it scary. The images of torture and death are brutal and explicit, lingering in mind long after the movie ends. There are multiple on-screen deaths, a child's life is threatened, characters die, a father is forced to make terrible decisions to protect his family, and there are no scenes free of peril. There are references to suicide, adultery, drug addiction, madness, and self-mutilation. There is strong language, and characters smoke. Underlying the killer's motive is the notion that everyone deserves to be tortured and that there are no innocents.
What's the story?
A serial killer traps a doctor (Cary Elwes) and a voyeuristic photographer (Leigh Whannell) in a windowless room with a corpse. Together with the clues that they have been given, including a mini-cassette player, photographs and two small saws, they seek to solve the riddle and escape.
Is it any good?
A thoroughly intriguing if ghoulish premise, some original nightmarish images, and a young director eager to show off his talents make SAW atmospheric and intense. However, the whole thing gets caught in the razor wire of shoddy acting, a sociopath who makes you go "huh?", a lack of engaging characters, and a morass of internally inconsistent details. The bitter taste in your mouth when it's over will not be fear, but instead will be disappointment, that what could have been a smart, original horror-fest turned into such an uneven wannabe.
Wan and Whannell clearly have been influenced by modern horror stalwarts like Seven, 28 Days Later, and The Ring, which results in a stilted form of brinksmanship where the end game is the most memorable gruesome image. Tying the scenes together, much less ending the movie with a tight little knot, is beyond their story-spinning ken this time. However, they deserve recognition for aiming high and for providing an engaging if ultimately disappointing ride.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the killer's motivation, whether the deaths are consistent with that motive, and what the characters might have done differently. They also might wish to talk about the resonance (or lack thereof) of movies where characters face death and re-evaluate their lives and priorities. Do Lawrence or Adam become more appealing characters as you know them better and as their fate looks bleaker? Do their choices become clearer as they reassess their priorities? What do you think the "right" life would be like so as not to attract the killer's attention?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Great for mature tweens-teens
I'm 13,and I thought this movie was terrific. I mean, I'm a horrer movie connesuer, I've been raised on Chucky, Jason X, etc etc. I found this movie to have an interesting plot though, and the acting was actualy pretty good. I'd say definantly go for it for 13:)
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AGE
BEST MOVIE EVER !!!!!!!
This movie and its sequels are the best! The violence was partially disturbing but these movies are still my favorite. The only thing i would warn parents about is the over excessive use of strong language (too many f***s) but this is still a must see horror film even though they get blodier each movie. I cant wait for SAW 6.
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AGE
One of the greatest horror flicks of all time
How can common sense actually give Saw 1 out of 5 stars.. terrible review. Common sense just tries to get people to think saw is a terrible movie because it is bloody. In reality, Saw is an excellent and well executed film. The entire movie is a thrill ride from the beginning to the very unexpected and shocking ending. Saw will leave you stunned, guessing, and ready for a sequel
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AGE
An Excellent Psychological Thriller!
This film is exactly what the posters and DVD covers convey: A violent horror movie not suitable for kids and pre-teens to see. What they don't convey is how the psychological thriller aspect of the movie is more prominat than the graphic and very realistic violence which can become disturbing to some squeemish viewers. Things to look out for are: The implication that a man is having an affair, two sex jokes, and a man runs through a room completely naked and is on screen for no more than 5 seconds. Violence is throughout. The aftermath of horrific torturous murders are seen several times. One realistic gunshot wound, several realistic hand-to-hand battles, and lastly a man cuts off his own foot (the action is off screen, we see him after the exploit is over with). Language is very frequent, mostly the "F" word is used but other cuss words are said was well. It is implied that a victim bought and sold illegal drugs and a main character is revealed to be a smoker. The entire film is unsettling and hard to rewatch, but the inital reaction to seeing the film for the first time will leave the viewer breathless. Bottom line: The film was originally NC-17 and cut down to an R-rating. Ages 16+. 5/5 stars. Enjoy.
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AGE
I'm a horror freak, but this movie is more of a psychological movie than just another bloody movie to me. Don't get me wrong, it IS bloody & the movies get worse as you see the sequels. Great movie, great plot, great everything. If your kids are mature enough not to go out & start killing people then I see this movie as ok in my opinion haha
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Kid, 8 years old
February 23, 2011
AGE
overall a good movie, not the best in the series
it has some pretty good acting, but it gets pwetty borin coz its in the same room the entire movie, otherwise it's actually a pretty good movie and i liked it! :D
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AGE
Desensitization
Yes, the movie-makers of today are pushing it, and yes, it is grisly. This is surely not a scary movie. Of course you wouldn't let your 12 year old watch it, but older teens mature at a variety of ages, some much quicker than others. Why must we lump every teen into the same category, and deny them their maturity? I love horror movies, and that is to no fault of my parents, for I snuck them for quite some time. It's not like I didn't get punished for it. There is violence that is obviously fake and overdramatized, and there is drug-abuse, and self-mutilation. Who is to say that these things don't already happen? Who is to say that having a teen see these things isn't going to benefit them, when they see the consequences of what the drugs, etc. lead to? You call it desensitization, I call it an awareness of the world around us and how screwed up it has gotten. People in our history books have done much worse than this man, and I don't see you complaining about them.
Besides, he tells you to appreciate your life. Minus the deaths, it is a good message to live by.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 2, 2011
AGE
Need to be 18+ :/
VERY GRISLY, ND VIOLENT! but there is a lesson! criminals desirve to suffer.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 24, 2011
AGE
?
I have no idea how to respond to this movie. My friend watched it when she was 9, and now I'm a little confused. So just keep this little fact in mind.
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AGE
Good Film, Not as Much Violence as Its Contemporaries
Saw is an excellent film and contrary to what others have said, it is rather lacking in violence in comparison to other horror films of this time such as, Hostel, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (remake), and Final Destination. In fact, most of the violence, with a couple of exceptions is more implicit than explicit. In addition, the film brings up some interesting philosophic questions about humans and current society, especially the negative effect of the media. Specifically, how the media glorifies serial killers and often reports inaccurate information causing people to make bad decisions, just like in the film in the cell phone scene near the end of the film. Ultimately, this film is an excellent atmospheric thriller (unlike many of its sequels), in which you must decide if your child can handle the occasionally shown extreme violent scenes (which in my opinon there are only about two such scenes and the rest is more implicit and hinted at than actually shown) and the sometimes adult themes.
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| Studio: | Lionsgate |
| Director: | James Wan |
| Cast: | Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 102 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 29, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | February 15, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong grisly violence and language |
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