More of the same

If it's Halloween, it must be "Saw." And if it's "Saw," it must be another sequel.\nYes, for the fourth consecutive year, the "Saw" series has returned to deliver more pain and punishment, only now the infamous Jigsaw Killer is dead and working from beyond the grave.\nThe latest installment begins where the former left off (or so it initially seems). After opening with the very graphic autopsy of recently deceased John "Jigsaw Killer" Kramer (Tobin Bell), Kramer reveals through one of his many taped messages that, although he himself is dead, he has an anonymous accomplice continuing his work, and "the games have just begun." \nThe main target in this film is Sergeant Riggs (Lyriq Bent), who is plagued with a kind of hero complex after watching everyone around him in the police force die at the hands of the Jigsaw Killer. Driven by his goal of trying to find his still-missing colleague Det. Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg), Riggs must manage his obsession of trying to save everyone he comes across in order to save his friend. Meanwhile, the FBI joins the case and Agent Strahm (Scott Patterson) corners Kramer's ex-wife to get some answers about Kramer and how he's still able to run his operation.\n"Saw IV" plays out similarly to its predecessors, as there are plenty of "games" with brutal, imaginative deaths for victims to try to survive. But now that we've reached sequel number three, the shock value of seeing people shot, stabbed, cut, crushed, crippled and tortured in every which way now comes off as stagnant. There are still plenty of moments that will startle audience members and make them jump from their seats (such as the elaborate head-smashing near the end of the film), but the scare tactics aren't as effective as they were three movies ago. One has to wonder how the series will stay interesting, especially after reportedly signing on for two more films. \nConsidering the loyal and passionate following the "Saw" movies have somehow maintained, there will be plenty of enthusiasts who will no doubt enjoy "Saw IV." Movie-goers looking for something new to frighten or shock them, however, will wish that Kramer's torturous games had died with him at the end of "Saw III"