Movie Review: “Spiral” features Chris Rock in a “Saw” entry that lands somewhere in the middle of the franchise pack

MOVIE REVIEW: SPIRAL (R)

Depending on who you talk to, the quality of the “Saw” franchise varies wildly from film to film. The general consensus seems to be that the last installment, aptly titled “Jigsaw,” wasn’t particularly memorable which is actually quite a shame because it was directed by the Spierig Brothers, the creative sibling storytelling duo responsible for “Daybreakers” and “Predestination.” Suffice it to say, “Jigsaw” felt like a step back for these particular filmmakers. This latest entry, aptly titled “Spiral: From the Book of Saw,”  has an even bigger name attached to it; Chris Rock! Yes…That Chris Rock. Not only did the famed comedian have a hand in breaking this new story but he also stars in the film. The question is, does this movie live up to the “Saw” name? For my money, this is a mixed bag and this is coming from a guy that’s far from a hardcore fan of the series.

In “Spiral: From the Book of Saw,” Rock is Detective Zeke Banks, a hardened cop with a chip on his shoulder. When a killer with a familiar MO starts targeting members of Zeke’s department, this seasoned veteran of the force sets out to determine whether Jigsaw has somehow returned or if someone is simply using the famed madman as a source of divine inspiration. Along the way, Zeke must battle with his boss (played by Marisol Nichols), verbally spar with fellow officers, break in new partner William Schenk (Max Minghella), and tend to his tenacious father,  Marcus, (Samuel L. Jackson), a retired officer from the same precinct.

“Spiral” was directed by Darren Lynn Bousman who, in addition to directing “Repo: The Genetic Opera,” has now helmed 4 entries in this very popular series. As expected, this movie is filled with disturbing death traps and tons of gore but more often than not, this all plays more like an inferior version of “Seven” than a “Saw” movie. Virtually non-existent is the twisted but sensible motivation that drove the earlier movies. There’s certainly motivation here but it isn’t nearly as intriguing. Further still,  it won’t take savvy viewers terribly long to figure out who might be pulling the strings in this movie.

How does Rock fare in all of this? Well, it’s difficult to buy him as a hardened cop (his role as an officer in “Lethal Weapon 4” was more engaging) but he acquits himself somewhat nicely during the film’s oddly out-of-place comical moments. He simply comes across as more comfortable when he’s getting to do what he does best in this movie even if it doesn’t entirely fit the tone of the piece. Look no further than Zeke’s “Forrest Gump” diatribe early on in the film. When “Spiral” shifts gears and finds Zeke fighting with members of the department or acting tough, it just isn’t entirely believable. Per Jackson, he’s always fun when he’s playing angry but seriously, his role here is all too slight. It’s as if they shot his stuff over a weekend.

It isn’t much of a spoiler to note that police corruption plays a major role in this picture but no matter what side of the coin you might be on in terms of this particular issue it’s unlikely to offend because “Spiral” doesn’t really take a bold stance either way. It’s really more interested in the traps. Even the mystery at the heart of the movie isn’t particularly involving and again, the big reveal is kind of a bust. There isn’t a single moment here that comes close to rivaling that scene in the original when that corpse rises to its feet in the final act. Worst of all, without going too far into spoiler territory, “Spiral” is ultimately hurt by being void of the enigmatic presence that made the idea of this series compelling in the first place.  What we’re left with is a “Saw” sequel that rests somewhere in the middle of the pack.