DVD Review: Saw II - Page 2

Grain is heavy during this DVD transfer. However, it’s intentional to add to the gritty look. Color filters are in use everywhere to showcase a wide range of shades that in many cases would be impossible to hold together on DVD. Here they are gorgeous, creating a sharp contrast with the solid black levels. Detail is tough to make out because of the filters, yet it’s not hard to see there’s a sharp, detailed print under it.

A decent 5.1 EX mix backs the film. While there are few instances where the surrounds find some purpose, the film is almost entirely front centered. Bass is powerful during the brief moments where it’s used.

Extras were saved for the special edition along with a director’s cut, exactly like the first Saw. This initial release starts with a commentary by director Darren Bousman, Donnie Wahlberg, and Beverly Mitchell. Jigsaw’s Game is next, a rather ridiculous explanation of the film’s plotline which is utterly pointless.

The Traps of Saw II looks at four death traps set up by the crew, and the effort behind them. The needle pit is the most interesting, chronicling the poor crewmembers that had to remove the needles from 120,000 syringes and replace many of them with rubber tips. The Props of Saw II is a short feature on some of the special effects, such as dead bodies and gore. Storyboards and trailers round off the feature set.

The creator of the Saw series was Gregg Hoffman. Sadly, in 2005, he died of an aneurysm. He was 42 years old. The DVD includes a written tribute accessible from the main menu, written by the director along with a small note on the back of the DVD case.

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Article Author: Matt Paprocki

Matt Paprocki is a 12-year movie and game critic. He currently freelances for Blu-ray review site DoBlu.com and video game site MultiPlayerGames.com.

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