"Saw 3D" ends horror franchise...finally

This Halloween weekend I had very mixed feelings and I think anyone in my position would feel the same. Who wouldn't feel a little apprehensive at the prospect of watching the gore-fest that is the "Saw" franchise in 3-D? Then again, who wouldn't do a little jig of happiness as they glimpse the bright light at the end of the tunnel that could potentially mean the end of the "Saw" franchise? I'm more than a little tired of the annual "Saw" release, which, to this point, seemed to have reached a perennial status.

The 3-D aspect, which is new to the "Saw" movies, seemed to have attracted audiences to win "Saw 3D" the number one grossing movie this weekend with $24.2 million. Yet, in my opinion, it was the attached statement "The Final Chapter" that really cinched the viewers.

As sad as it may be, it's human nature to watch destruction, pain and horror. Case and point: the site of a car wreck in which traffic is at a standstill so that people can gawk and rubberneck. However, it's hard to rationalize paying money to see a movie that epitomizes human torture and is stock full of grotesque images every single year. Audiences probably coughed up the $12.50 to go see "Saw 3D" because, hey, it's going to be the last one, why not?

"Saw 3D" really presents nothing new to those who are familiar with the previous "Saw" films. There is a flimsy plot with reoccurring characters who you think will never die, plenty of over-the-top blood and gory scenes you want to look away from, but just can't and last, but certainly not least, there are numerous gruesome traps to give the serial killer within us plenty of great ideas. I'm kidding. Maybe.

Director Kevin Greutert, who directed last year's "Saw VI," was brought back to direct this film, which is actually the seventh "Saw" film. This was surprising considering "Saw VI" boasted the least impressive turnout of any of the preceding "Saw" films. Greutert definitely knows how to scare since he also directed "The Strangers" (2008), which truthfully really freaked me out.

Now I don't know if it was any of Greutert's doing, but some really excellent plot decisions were made as well as an inclusion of a character we haven't encountered for, let's see, five "Saw" films. Dr. Lawrence Gordon, the survivor from the first film who ended up sawing his own foot off, makes an effective cameo with a fake leg and all. Of course he's also tied in to the universal "Saw" franchise plot, but it's too complicated to even begin to explain.

As with most "Saw" films, there is always a main torture plot, sometimes it includes one person and their mistakes they must pay for. For instance, in the last film, it is a group of people seemingly unconnected who must fight to live like in "Saw V." In "Saw 3D," the torture plot revolves around Bobby Dagen, a faux-survivor who lies about surviving a Jigsaw trap in order to make money and achieve fame. Needless to say, he pays the price for his lies in a painful way.

I hope it's true. I hope this is the last "Saw" because I don't think I could sit through another constant stream of brutality that has me intermittently flinching and giggling in surprise at the awfulness of the film, as well as its insistence of including shots of people's innards splayed on the floor. Yet, having said that, this was one of the more enjoyable "Saw" films, so for those who enjoy a good hour and a half of wanting to throw up, but knowing you won't, knock yourself out.