Saw II (***)

The fact that I liked this movie kind of just throws the whole rules of moviegoing out the window. I pretty much hated the first Saw. Liked the twist at the end, liked the idea behind it, but thought that the execution was piss poor at best. The acting and directing were awful. Then, I hear that Lions Gate had greenlit a sequel that's going to be rushed into theaters in a year. Then come the stupid previews that tout "Featuring a new song by Mudvayne." Could Saw II try any harder to discourage the seasoned filmgoer from attending? Turns out that looks can be deceiving. This is actually an unusually effective horror-thriller. It's reasonably clever, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Donnie Wahlberg is good in the lead role, and the rest of the cast acquit themselves nicely. There is, of course, another twist at the end. This one's not as good, and it kind of ruins anything they can do with future sequels. Given limited expectations, and one's fondness for this type of genre picture, Saw II is a good time at the movies.