COP ROCK

Now in theaters:

Spiral: From the Book of Saw--Chris Rock is, at least arguably, the greatest currently performing American standup comedian. He also gave a fine performance in a supporting role in New Jack City back in 1991. But as a leading man in movies, he's always somehow seemed to shrink, to lose the presence he has as a standup.

He comes across differently, however, as an angry yet honest and thoughtful police detective in this shocker, linked to the Saw flicks. Chris Rock is a true, full-fledged movie star here; his presence gives this gruesome Jacobean cop thriller gravitas.

In a generic unnamed city, Rock and his young partner (Max Minghella) are on the case of a shadowy maniac who is abducting crooked cops--wearing, appropriately enough, a pig mask--by knocking them unconscious. When they awaken, they find themselves ensnared in nightmarish traps that offer them the choice between self-inflicted dismemberment or death. Or, if they wait too long, both. Electrocution, flaying and exsanguination are among the Grand Guignol spectacles that director Darren Lynn Bousman and screenwriters Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger gleefully serve up.

I only ever saw the first Saw; once I saw that first Saw, I can't say I ever saw a pressing need to see any of the subsequent Saws. So I never saw them. So I can't say how much of a connection there is between Spiral and the other movies in the franchise. To say that with confidence, I probably would not only have to see Saw again, but also see Saw II, see Saw III, and see Saws IV, V and VI. And for that matter, I'd probably have to see Saw 3-D. And also see Jigsaw.

I don't plan to do that, because Spiral, though it isn't boring, is too crass and silly for that much effort. But I enjoyed it anyway, because of Rock, who also executive-produced. As in 2014's Top Five, Rock's role here provides him, especially early on, with an on-camera audience--his new partner--so that he can riff, standup-style, as they walk along. This seems to help him maintain leading-man confidence.

Samuel L. Jackson also shows up, as Rock's gruff, distant father. This sounds promising, but the two don't get much screen time together, and most of what there is isn't particularly intense. Still, it should be said that a little Samuel L. Jackson is better than no Samuel L. Jackson.