What can possibly be more gruesome than two people trapped in a room fated for a gory death? Try seven people trapped in a house and fated for a gory death. Just when it seemed impossible to come up with a storyline more twisted than “Saw,” its makers devised an even more genius and twisted tale in the sequel, “Saw 2.”

The Jigsaw Killer, a serial murderer with an uncanny skill for engineering and an even more creative mind for finding ways to force people to kill themselves, is back with force. He kidnaps the son of a self-destructive police detective, played by Donnie Wahlberg, and forces the detective to begin playing his game. The game is simple – sit and listen to the Jigsaw, played by Tobin Bell. Do it, or the Wahlberg’s son will succumb to a deadly nerve agent let loose in a house of horrors where he and six others are trapped.

With only two hours before the gas kills his son and the others, Wahlberg must watch them play Jigsaw’s twisted games in order to find numerous antidotes hidden around the house. And all the while, he must get into Jigsaw’s head to put the puzzle pieces together and figure out where the ill-fated seven are trapped.

It is a completely fair assumption that the second installment to this gory thriller would lose its edge. “Saw” was unlike anything before it, and with the unforgettable ending, it was presumed its greatness would see the same fate as “The Matrix” trilogy – in essence, how can it be topped?

The fact that “Saw 2” was even more shocking, elaborate and well-casted is a badge on the arm of the hundreds of people working to bring this to life. It is a general rule – or at least a trend – that a sequel must be bigger and badder than the first to escape its shadow. Many times this can lead to overambition and result in a complete disaster.

Despite the dangers, the crew gave us what we wanted – a larger set, more people and more twisted ways to die – resulting in a delightful mind game resembling a round of “Clue” from the darkest realms of hell.

One of the most impressive attributes of this film is the attention to detail. Everything in this “fun house” is tweaked to its most authentic degree, giving the film a grisly, claustrophobic feel unmatched by anything before it.

The ensemble cast was relatively unknown, so no one character was more focused upon than another. And although there was no standout performance, the group’s low-key celebrity status helps the terrifying set take on a vital role itself.

Other superstars of this film are the special effects/makeup artists – and they truly are artists. The realism of the physical toll taken by the cast – especially the deaths – is given as much attention to detail as the set, creating a sometimes too real image for the audience. And given their masterful goriness is presented through the macabre and shrewd eye of director Darren Lynn Bousman, an Oscar nomination should most definitely be expected.

So many of the risks taken in this movie are so unique that to disclose them for in this analysis would do an injustice to the true shock value this movie embodies. The only suggestion that can be made is this – go watch it and prepare to be shocked.