'Saw' sharpens up for more

"Oh yes, there will be blood." These few words, spoken by John, aka The Jig Saw Killer (Tobin Bell), pretty much sums up what the "Saw" films are all about. "Saw II" follows in the footsteps of tons of similar crime/horror films of the past, as being a vehicle for gruesome scenes of blood and gore. However, unlike so many horror movies that focus merely on shock value, "Saw II" also features a fairly clever plot, which in many ways is equal yet different to its predecessor. \nLike the first film in the series, "Saw II" revolves around the premise of cops and detectives searching for the maniacal killer. However the twist here is they find him right away, interrogate him and instead spend the rest of the film searching for the killer's last victims, who he has locked in a house full of toxic gas. The victims have two hours to be found or they will die.\nThis tricky scenario is all part of the killer's plan to teach his victims to embrace the life they have by forcing them to fight for their survival. This, if you remember, was the basic premise of "Saw" and again works well as a motive for the killer, something that is often forgotten about in the typical horror movie script. \nDetective Eric Mason (a fairly emotionless Donnie Wahlberg), to his dismay, is summoned to the case by his ex-partner, but is suddenly brought into the killer's twisted puzzle when he finds out his son Daniel (Erik Knudsen) is one of the victims trapped in the house. \nMeanwhile in the eerie house/prison Daniel and seven other people must sort through clues and fight booby traps in order to beat "the game" and earn their survival. \n"Saw II" is not a perfect horror film by any means, but is more clever and entertaining than most films in the same genre being released today. The acting is sub-par at that, and some plot points are vague, but overall the movie is a good time, especially if you enjoy the occasional horror flick. \nThe film offers a lot of creativity, especially in the elaborate death sequences (one word: syringes) and enough blood and gore to fill a number of films. Stomachs: you've been warned.