The concept of Saw (imdb | rotten tomatoes) was good, if a little borrowed from Se7en (imdb | rotten tomatoes). The bad guy and methods of death were sufficiently creepy, which made it an effective enough Friday night movie. But the execution was sloppy, the cliches were bad (and plentiful) enough that the audience began laughing at what were supposed to be scary or tense moments, and the acting was BRUTAL. Especially Cary Elwes; the man’s just shite.

I can’t say I’d recommend it, unless you’re easily frightened and have never seen a thriller before.