The Saw franchise has had a nice run. The original Saw film was one that broke some new ground, albeit also helped to further our generation of torture porn. But, it's twisty ending and inventive torture sequences surprised many and kept the film on its feet, at least a little. Now, four more films down the road, we come to Saw V, and likely next year, number six. Of all the horror film franchises such as Halloween and Friday the 13th, Saw V is certainly not the worst fifth installment we've seen. Halloween was an inventive classic that pioneered the slasher genre. But, then again, it had a strong element of suspense that few films have managed to replicate. It's fifth film, however, had lost steam entirely. At least the fifth installment of the Saw franchise makes it into theatres, for better or worse.

The main problem that we see across all areas of the Saw installments is that each film thinks it is more clever than it is. Each film undoubtedly prides itself on its torture scenes and its twist ending. It has come to the point that the audience searches for the twist, only to be surprised by something ridiculous out of nowhere. At least in the first Saw we didn't expect it. Now, we not only expect it, but it's unfortunately the highlight of the film.

Saw V essentially contains the same problems that plagued II, III, and IV, with each one getting considerably worse. But, unlike those films, five fails to surprise us in the end. It has gotten to the point that it has literally run out of steam, and they are trying to keep the films running on whatever they can salvage. If it weren't for the unrelenting nature of the protagonists dying, the poor acting, the excessive flashbacks, and the less-than-satisfying ending, Saw V may have been a film worthy of second in weekend box office gross.