Spiral: From the Book of Saw

I like being scared; what I don't particularly like is being grossed or winced out.

I have to admit, I liked this film...and a great opportunity to get back into a theater.

Director Darren Lynn Bousman, on his fourth Saw film, keeps things fresh while also nodding, via the pig mask and a scene involving handcuffs and a hacksaw, to where it all began in 2004.

In trying to save itself, the Saw series got caught in a convoluted trap of its own making.

Here you have really good actors in a really mediocre movie.

I was just happy watching Chris Rock having fun in this movie, even if I wasn't really having fun watching people get their limbs torn off.

The real trap was presenting something new, only to be given the same formulaic Saw movie once again. The added humor and talent does make this better than most Saw entries.

Spiral might offer enough blood, gore, and brutal traps/murders to fans of the franchise, but overall it's still just another lazy, predictable take on the SAW formula. A strong yet abrupt ending doesn't compensate for such dull storytelling.

Just as the Jigsaw Copycat Killer leaves spirals at his crime scenes, Spiral will leave you spiraling.

If you are asked to play a game with Spiral, just politely decline and go on your way. It might be time to call Game Over on our friend Jigsaw.