Sometimes an explanation can make all of the difference in the world. When someone is given the chance to tell you their side of the story, opinions can change. Such is the case after viewing some of the special features on Lions Gate's recently released 2-Disc DVD set of SAW UNCUT. First time I 'saw' SAW, I was less than impressed. Not that my tune has changed all that much after my initial viewing, but to simply say that I have a deeper understanding and appreciation for what has been done here would be an understatement.

Two men awaken in a disgustingly dank bathroom to find that they are each chained by the leg on opposite ends of the room. Lying in the middle (directly between them) is another unidentified man, in a pool of blood, gun and tape recorder in his hands. The two men don't know how or why they got to where they are...but they are about to learn. Through the use of flashbacks (a whole lotta flashbacks mind you) and the occasional riddle/clue, Dr. Gordon (Cary Elwes) and Adam (Leigh Whannell, the films screenwriter) slowly begin to determine their fate.

There's not much more I can tell you about SAW before I start to give away some of the finer points and many secrets that it holds so dear. What I can tell you however is that while the men are held captive, there is a concurrent investigation (led by two detectives played by Danny Glover and Ken Leung) on the outside for someone known as the 'Jigsaw' killer.

Upon first glance, SAW certainly would seem to have a lot going for it. Desolate locations, men thrust into desperate situations and most importantly, the unknown. Gritty detective work, a ruthless killer who likes to play with his victim's minds. Then there is the films visual style. Obviously borrowing the look from films like SEVEN (and geared towards the MTV crowd, scenes could easily pass for a Nine Inch Nails video) with dank, dirty and dark sets, fluorescent-lit scenes and the use of multi-colored gels. Considering the films budgetary restrictions (and you'll see how lucky they got with the use of their sets from the behind-the-scenes segment), if nothing else SAW has got a real slick look going for it.

The problem I have with the film is in how the story unravels with its many twists and turns. Some of which work and some...that don't. It's almost as if the script has been written around these twists in such a way that revelations seem too convenient or come too quickly. Almost as if these revelations HAVE to support the twists in order to further the story and come to an ultimate resolution. While in essence, it really should be the other way around. Scenes in which characters will blurt out 'Oh, I remember that now, I was followed the other day," cut to flashback where it's evident that this is something said character would never have forgotten to begin with. I didn't believe for a minute that it took these characters as long as it did to figure out why they were there and who was doing this to them. Yet when it comes time to decipher a clue, they're right on it, when it's necessary to the plot. When a character has a revelation 75-minutes into the film, that I know damn well he should have had 50-minutes earlier or when he solves a riddle much quicker than time or the situation would allow, it's just that much harder to swallow. Now I wouldn't normally have as much of a problem with this because films tend to be fantasy, right? But in SAW, there is such an attempt to ground these points into reality; I just didn't find the whole affair all that realistic.

Still, that being said, it's not as if SAW doesn't have anything to offer, because it does (I've already mentioned a few of the films high points). And once again, I have to point out that the behind-the-scenes segment presented on Disc 2 helped to solidify this for me. I'm warming up to this film, and this second viewing has definitely begun to play tug of war with my feelings about it.

Since you're talking to someone who's never seen the original DVD release of SAW, I have nothing to compare to, But from what I do know, this edition should come as a welcomed breath of fresh air for fans of the film. First and foremost is the fact that the film is presented uncut and unrated. It's a wonder why fans weren't given this treat the first time around. While extras are sprawled out on 2 individual discs, I'd be inclined to note that there's barely enough here to actually warrant a second disc. Still, if it was a noble attempt in keeping bit rates and quality higher throughout, then it's a worthwhile cause indeed.

Both audio and video quality is quite outstanding. The anamorphic image really does the film justice here with a nice clean transfer that boasts solid colors and black levels. It looks great, even in the dark. Both digital audio tracks are nice and aggressive filling the room with sound and the use of the occasional (and effective) background effect.

In addition to the uncut feature itself, Disc 1 also houses two feature length audio commentaries (#1 with Writer/Actor Leigh Whannell, Director James Wan and actor Cary Elwes. #2 with producers Mark Burg, Gregg Hoffman, Oren Koules). These tracks are what they are, take them or leave them, I could've gone either way. In addition to the commentaries, it's worth noting that Disc 1 includes 3 audio options as well; 6.1 DTS ES, 5.1 DD EX and 2.0 Dolby Stereo Surround.

Disc 2 houses the bulk of the extras, which include an alternate storyboard sequence (it's been animated and is pretty nifty), the original short film used to help sell the script to SAW (available in 5.1 or 2.0 audio and running about 9-min), and a director's art gallery. Apparently Wan had diagramed and sketched the film from nearly start to finish. Some of these sketches are used in the discs's menu design as well, which is also a nice touch. Next up is a piece entitled Full Disclosure Report - Piecing Together Jigsaw, which is a mock news report (treating the Jigsaw murders as a real case, about 14-min), a clip from Saw 2, a DVD Rom feature entitled Jigsaw's Workshop and a collection of Lions Gate Trailers. The high point of the bonus features and the one that almost got me to change my tune about the film as a whole is a 36-minute piece entitled Hacking Away At Saw - Behind-The-Scenes, split into three sections (with an available play all feature). This piece chronicles the film from conception to script to a whirlwind of funding and its eventual production. It's very interesting and informative and I had no idea that this film was actually so low budget. With money issues and time constraints it's a wonder that this film was even ever finished. It's evident that it was through the determination of the filmmakers, cast and crew that led to the films ultimate completion, and when you see things through the back end and what they were able to actually accomplish with the resources they were given, it's all quite amazing.

Special mention should go out to the discs packaging as well. Even if you're not a fan of the film, there's no denying the fact that it's a pretty cool way to present the film. There's a liquid, made to look like blood behind a protective cover over the discs artwork and a mini 'saw' floating about in the 'blood.' Everything is housed in a clear, hard plastic keep case. The image I've included above doesn't do the clever packaging any justice; it's something that you'll just need to see for yourself.

Most definitely a no-brainer for fans of the film, and probably for those fans that have already bought the first DVD release. If you were like me, and a bit iffy on the film to begin with, might not be a bad idea to give this release a look see. Give yourself one more chance to make up your mind...I'm actually glad I did.