The Purge

In the year 2022, the landscape of our nation has changed significantly in the world of “The Purge.”  We have restructured our government and voted a group of leaders called The New Founding Fathers who instated a new tradition, The Purge.  On the 7^th of June every year, from 7pm to 7am, every crime is legal.  There are no rules.  The reasons for The Purge vary depending on who you talk to.  Some argue that The Purge reduces crime because it allows everyone to release their aggravations and primal urges one night a year without repercussion.  Some would tell you The Purge helps the economy by decreasing the drain the lower class has on society, due to the rich being able to afford protection while the poor are left to their own devices.  Whichever argument you tend to agree with would be right because in the world of this movie The Purge is responsible for a booming economy and record low crime statistics, because this world makes no sense.  Once you get past that this movie is more bearable, but it moves along an equally nonsensical plot that fails to surprise and tip-toes around some very interesting issues that it suggests but never has the balls to explore.

The lack of focus on the necessity of The Purge is a harbinger for what is wrong with this movie.  It feels muddled and confused because the writer wanted to explore a deeper theme, but never decided what he wanted that theme to be.  So instead of the movie being about the upper class’ disdain for the lower class, or the destruction of the lower class leading to a better economy (which doesn’t even make sense, but at least it would have been something), or the need for humanity to satisfy its deeper urges to move forward as a peaceful society we got all three smashed into one movie that doesn’t explore any of the above.  These themes are mentioned, sure, but the movie never goes further than that.  The Purge does toy with the question of how far one will go when protecting one’s family, especially with no societal rules to adhere to, but this is only a small part of the film.  Instead of focusing on the inherent questions within the premise, the writer and filmmaker shackle their story to a home invasion plot.

The home invasion plot shouldn’t take the brunt of the blame for this movie’s failure to create an emotional response.  I suppose certain of the given themes could be explored within the realms of a family protecting their house, in fact with this interesting world it could have been something fresh and new.  No, the main problem with this movie is the unfocused and often random nature of the plot.  With a new world to explore, the filmmakers don’t need to waste time with unimportant plot lines or irrational behavior.  The plot should be tight and focused and the characters should act in the most logical way to allow the viewer to better connect to the new rules set forth in the world of the film.  Instead The Purge gives us the forbidden boyfriend plot that goes nowhere, has no consequence on the story, and doesn’t make any bloody sense.  The daughter, Zoey played by Adelaide Kane, has a boyfriend that is 18 which the dad, James Sandin played by Ethan Hawke, forbids.  In an attempt to convince Zoey’s dad to allow them to date Henry, the boyfriend, sneaks into their house before they lock down for The Purge so he can talk to her dad when he can’t get away.  Seems somewhat reasonable, but he would be working uphill considering James is going to be pretty mad at him for breaking in, I’m still on board though.  Then his plan goes downhill fast.  Henry walks downstairs to talk to James and tries to shoot him instead.  TWIST!  Henry obviously didn’t think this one through, or more accurately the screenwriter didn’t think this through.  If Henry kills Zoey’s dad, Zoey isn’t going to fall into his arms, she’s going to freaking hate him!  And considering he tries it during The Purge means that the daughter could take revenge.  Poorly.  Thought.  Out.

I could go on about this movie and the nonsense contained therein, but I could easily go on for another 700 words.  I give this movie a 4.5/10.  It makes no sense and fumbles what could be an interesting concept, but not entirely worthless.  Ethan Hawke, Lena Heady, and Edwin Hodge bring interesting characters to the table and there is a poignant scene that asks how much you would do to protect your family.  Unfortunately the motivations for the majority of the characters don’t make sense and the revolving door of bad guys isn’t as surprising as it should be.  Follow all of that with an anti-climactic ending and you have The Purge.  Maybe they will fix these problems with The Purge 2 which has already been green-lit.