I have to get this out of the way up front: Saw is one of the coolest DVD packages I've seen thus far in 2005. Enclosed in a clear plastic slipcase, the Amaray case is also clear, allowed an unobstructed view of the disc, which resembles a circular saw blade. The slipcase also has scoring marks along the top, as if an errant blade skipped across the surface. Damn cool stuff and it looks great on the shelf.

Anyhow, a particularly nasty and occasionally inventive piece of horror filmmaking that desperately wants to be the heir to David Fincher's seminal 1995 thriller Seven, Australian export James Wan's Saw was an unexpected sleeper hit at Sundance and later, wide theatrical release, last year – catching audiences off-guard with its intricate narrative and go-for-broke attitude.

It's a pretty intriguing concept for a film: two men, Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) and Adam (Leigh Whannell, another Aussie) wake up in a dilapidated industrial bathroom, chained to pipes. Between them lies a corpse clutching a tape recorder and a gun. Neither knows how he got there but it's gradually revealed to them that they're trapped in the lair of the Jigsaw serial killer and lives are in danger. If one of them is still alive by 6 p.m., things will go from bad to much, much worse.

With a dynamite setup like that, it's understandable that Saw spends the next 90 minutes trying to top itself. A parallel storyline involving the police's relentless pursuit of the Jigsaw killer, led by Detective Tapp (Danny Glover), reveals some of the holes in the narrative – the fact that Wan and Whannell's screenplay is so temporally fractured doesn't do it any favors either. It skips around to the point that, at times, I wished for a little less backstory and a little more forward motion. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of Saw is that it's ultimately hollow; when villains and motives are truly revealed, it amounts to "So what?" In particular, the cliffhanger ending screams sequel (which, in fact, is in production) but I was left with wondering why this story needed continuing.

That said, Saw also sets up some truly gruesome set-pieces that will thrill gorehounds and have everyone else reaching for the remote. The dexterity with which Wan and Whannell keep you guessing is also admirable; they pull the bait-and-switch so often that at one point, I thought perhaps the police were the serial killers.

If stylish horror suspense is your bag, Saw is just the ticket. However, if you're looking for intelligent thrills on the order of Seven, you'll want to put this Saw back in the tool chest.

The Video:

Saw takes place largely in dank bathrooms, somber homes and dark warehouses but still manages to look great. The 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer highlights David Armstrong's gritty cinematography. There's no edge enhancement but Dr. Gordon's bright blue shirt does have some trouble with grain in the more brightly lit scenes. An okay job with what was no doubt problematic material.

The audio options for Saw are nicely varied: DTS 6.1 ES, Dolby Digital 5.1 EX and Dolby 2.0 stereo are available. Both the DTS and Dolby Digital sound great, with each scream, gunshot and shock music cue coming through loud and clear. DTS edges out Dolby Digital as far as clarity and presence; all channels are active throughout and there are some nice sonic effects (check it when the victim trapped in the barbed wire cage screams – it flies from the fronts to the back).

A relaxed, self-deprecating commentary with Wan and Whannell is onboard (Wan actually apologizes to any bored listeners, as it's their first time recording a commentary); the track explains some of the nuts and bolts of making their film in a breakneck 18 days as well as some of the influences (among them, Dario Argento) and motivations behind certain choices. Also included is a lightning fast behind-the-scenes featurette ("Sawed Off") that clocks in at two minutes, 30 seconds. Five trailers and TV spots are available as are two different versions of Fear Factory's oh-so-uplifting "Bite the Hand That Bleeds You" music video – one rated, one unrated for an aggregate of six minutes. There's also a making-of for the unrated video and a poster gallery.

While it boasts an intriguing premise and some truly harrowing scenes, Saw is ultimately less than the sum of its parts. A respectable debut for Wan and Whannell, both of whom show a knack for well crafted, entertaining suspense. It's just a shame that the film falls apart in the closing minutes. Worth a rental and maybe a purchase for fans who caught it at the multiplex.