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Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) died in “Saw III,” but fortunately he used some of his final hours to record taped instructions so his intended victims can again navigate absurdly elaborate tests and learn to “cherish their lives.” (In other words, “die.”) The result is unimaginable pain inflicted on a group of G-list actors whom you may recognize from appearances on shows like “Gilmore Girls” and “Kevin Hill.” Or not.

Big questions: Is “Saw IV” less ridiculous and insulting to watch than its predecessor? Please?

Skip it: Boasting more posthumous recordings than Tupac, Jigsaw should have spent time devising clever new traps instead of buying Radio Shack’s entire inventory of tape recorders. Between pathetic sound effects, embarrassing lines like, “What you can’t do is save everyone,” and mixed-up chronology that may break your watch, the sick pleasure that once came from the sound of screaming, morally conflicted people now sounds only like cash registers ringing up another undeserving hit.

Catch it: If you want to see a contraption that requires a doorknob to turn to switch on a TV to activate a clock. Impressive, but can Jigsaw program a DVR?

Bottom line: Mildly thought-provoking questions of human nature are long gone—replaced by questions of how many batteries, index cards and cans of paint it takes to run Jigsaw’s operation. (Vegas estimate: 1,257.)  The killer’s brain is removed at the beginning of the movie, and seeing “Saw IV” will teach you exactly how that feels.

Bonus: Apparently Jigsaw’s extraordinary work with metal landed him on the cover of the Journal of Civil Engineering, so he’s got that going for him. Bet you’re glad you have that subscription now.

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