The Original Saw (2004) is by far the best in the series. But I guess that's not saying much!

The first in the franchise benefits greatly from a tight and winding plot that keeps the viewer hooked, with an ending that is well deserved and works with the rules put in place by the film. Cary Elwes is great as Dr Gordon even if Leigh Whannell was never destined to be an actor. Gore is definitely not the name of the game here, with the camera frequently cutting away rather than lingering on the violence. Its plot comes first and is a great ride both first time and once you know what is coming.

On the bad side, I despise the editing in this film and the franchise as a whole. The quick cuts may have been a way at the time to save on budget, but it has unfortunately become a staple for this series and I really do not like it. The audio design is also terrible, with the loud stuff destroying my speakers but somehow I was still struggling to hear characters mumbling dialogue (but tbf this might be my setup). Finally, the cinematography is not to my taste. Very grimey, very brown/green, but is damn effective I suppose!

Its good stuff. Only goes downhill from here. 7/10.