The Purge Review, for 12 months of every year any
crime including murder will go unpunished, all emergency services are
suspended.
Writer James DeMonaco
Cast
Ethan Hawke - James Sandin
Lena Headey - Mary Sandin
Edwin Hodge - Bloody Stranger
Rhys Wakefield - Polite Leader
Max Burkholder - Charlie Sandin
Adelaide Kane - Zoey Sandin
Blumhouse Productions - Running time 85 minutes
In order to deal with the countries increasing crime rate, the US government stop all emergency services and allows any crime to go unchallenged for a single annual 12 hour period known as The Purge. The purge allows people to unleash their built up anger and frustration, releasing their demons. Also this 12 hours periods helps to eradicate the homeless and the weak.
During the purge a man is being chased and hunted by a murderous gang looking to fore fill their need to purge. The young son of a wealthy family allow the man to seek safety in their house. However the gang are very determined to satisfy their need to purge and they give the family a choice. Give the man back to them or become victims of the purge themselves.
While the whole idea is farfetched, it's a good one and I like it, it has much potential. It's definitely a nice refreshing change to have a relatively original idea like this. Unfortunately the movie is partly ruined by the stupidity of the characters.
It has been awhile since I was so badly irritated by a movie, for example the young boy knows the access code to the house security system causing the whole problem in the first place, and then he lets in a complete stranger during the purge. After that moment of insanity we have a whole lot more stupid behavior and things that just make no sense what so ever. It just ruined what could have been a great movie. I felt like the writing was just rushed and sloppy, with a bit more effort this could of been really good.
There were moments that were enjoyable, the concept itself for example. I like the idea of having house defenses and the survival element. Also the concept of having no emergency services or laws is both scary and exciting. I felt it started and ended well, just everything in between was a bit of a mess.
It's still entertaining, it's just a shame it could of been so much better.
6.5 out of 10
