At what point did over-the-top SAW series go from hard to watch, unsettling torture porn to been there done that? Many people feel that happened around films 4 through 6. Being the huge horror nerds that we are we hate to knock the fact that we get a nice dose of horror every October. The SAW series has become a staple for the genre but all good things must come to an end...

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Don’t mistake this article for hate. We are fans of horror. We love the fact that the original SAW grew from independent status in 2004 moving through the Sundance and other film festival routes to grow into one of the most successful horror franchises in history (it was just named the most successful horror franchise according to the Guinness Book of World Records). But over milking often occurs with any successful property. When money is to be made can you really blame them for wanting to squeeze it dry? Of course the original idea is art but that always gets skewed once profit takes over and studios step in. It may water things down but let’s be honest; it’s about the all mighty dollar in this world. Like it or not that’s the truth. Movies are made because of the passion of the subject. Franchises are built to grab loot and grind every dollar you can out of a series.

So when this last Saw movie premiers in full 3D and takes advantage of every marketing tool available don’t be jaded that the series is ending on this note. Of course they will rely on a gimmick to sell tickets. They are in this to make as much profit as they can. Again that is the game and if you or I owned the franchise we would do the same thing. Does it water things down? Of course it does. When the original SAW first came out it was cutting edge. The general audience had never seen that type of thing before. It was brutal and visceral. The term “torture porn” was born and although that may have been a strong statement it’s probably a fitting one. Even the sequel and threequel were nice additions to the story that tied up loose ends and kept us enthralled. It was when we got into the mind numbing roman numerals that things started to get diluted. With SAW IV, V and VI even hardcore horror fans that report on this genre for a living couldn’t sit there and explain to you exactly what is going on. We need someone to plant an “INCEPTION” in our mind just to remember what’s going on from year to year. That’s when you know it’s time to cue the curtain (and yes I was able to work “INCEPTION” into this article, eat that guys!)

Gone are the days of amazement and curious wonder. The turn your head but have to look (car accident) type of mentality washed away years ago. Now we are so accustomed to a JIGSAW traps that if we woke up and found ourselves strapped to a gurney and a doll started talking to us we’d fully expect to loose a body part, slip out of the warehouse and end the day with a Frapachino from STARBUCKS. We’re numb to the violence at this point. That’s actually kind of sad and freakishly evil at the same time.

So with the rightful ending to the once mighty SAW in sight will anything take its place? Twisted Pictures, the studio behind the SAW series along with Lionsgate, purchased the THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE last year in an effort to reboot the franchise in 3D. Talks about what they might do are nothing but speculation at this point but might we see a future where LEATHERFACE gets the same yearly treatment JIGSAW witnessed? A few days ago we called out to the Bidite nation via Facebook and overwhelmingly you all agreed you would love to see a TRICK ‘R TREAT style series take over (yes, we agree). Not only was the original TRICK ‘R TREAT a great movie that intertwined every aspect of the Halloween holiday to the T but it’s the perfect movie ala TALES FROM THE CRYPT to repeat each October. Where do we sign up, right?

So we end this article on a positive or at least we hope it’s a positive note. The SAW series is ending, the story is hopefully coming full circle. JIGSAW is a great addition to the slasher icons of the past. He swooped in left his mark and now he is leaving. Let’s just hope it’s on better terms than other slasher type killers. Think JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY and FREDDY’S DEAD. Not exactly the best track record for a dying horror franchise is it?

SAW fans don’t grieve too long. With the way things are these days look for JIGSAW to be remade in some fashion within the next 3 to 4 years. Here is looking to October 29th (originally planned for October 22nd to go head to head with PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 but was bumped a week later) and hoping that JIGSAW has the proper send off he deserves. Now as they say in the films, GAME OVER!

Source: HorrorBid