The last thing anyone ever expected was comedic genius Chris Rock to revive the SAW franchise, yet here we are. He plays Det. Zeke Banks, and as the son of former Police Chief Marcus Banks (Samuel L. Jackson), there’s nothing he can do to get out of his father’s shadow. The one thing he did do was tell the truth about a dirty cop who killed an innocent man, which slapped him with the label of being a rat by his fellow officers. Zeke can’t trust anyone now and ends up getting stuck babysitting a rookie (Max Minghella) as they pursue a Jigsaw copycat. Let the tremendously torturous games begin in Spiral: From the Book of SAW.
This is no groundbreaking new chapter, but its telling as a dangerous detective story is more vitalizing than its predecessors. And of course, the gory, gruesome fun we all know this horror franchise to be hasn’t gone anywhere. The excruciating traps continue to be inventive and this time are exclusively set to punish police corruption. If you have a weak stomach, maybe skip the popcorn this once. On second thought, if that’s the case…then why in the hell are you seeing this to begin with?!
In all of their years, it’s hard to believe this is the first time Rock and Jackson have worked together. Thus, it’s a shame the script and director Darren Lynn Bousman (returning after doing SAW II, III, and IV) can’t capitalize on such an occasion. There’s incontestably untapped potential when it comes to their characters and the relationship they share. That’s not to say Rock and Jackson don’t elevate Spiral, because they definitely do. Rock taking charge and showing off his dramatic chops in this genre is unexpected but cool to see.
Oddly enough, Spiral: From the Book of SAW fights against precisely what it wants to represent: progress and evolution. So the chance of it winning over new fans is slim and none. If you’ve never seen a SAW movie, it’ll stay that way. Then there’s people out there (like myself) who have slowly given up on it through the sequels, though don’t shut the book completely. Spiral sparks just enough interest in what these movies can be going forward. The question is are you willing to turn the page and see what’s next? Make your choice.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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