Movie Review: The Purge

Just by looking at the movie poster, it looks terribly frightening, like a horror movie. However, the only horror you'll find in this movie is the dreadfully slow plot as well as the painfully uncooperative characters. An action-y suspense / thriller, this movie has its ups and downs, as well as some... well... to say at the least, I believe it could have been written a little better than it was.

The story takes place in the year 2022. Some time ago, the US Government designated one day out of the entire year-- each year-- for a nationwide event called "The Purge" (go figure). The Purge is a time frame of exactly 12 hours-- no more, no less-- in which any person may commit any crime without consequence. It is described as a way of purifying souls, releasing pent-up stress, and as it has been stated many times throughout the movie: it works; annual crime is at an all-time low, unemployment is down to a mere 1%, and the economy is flourishing. In fact, most people are in support of The Purge.

We have a mother (Mary), a father (James), a creepy son (Charlie), and a overly-dramatic teenage daughter (Zoey)... Your average setup for a movie. This family supports The purge, but very much unlike the rest of the population, chooses to not partake in The Purge, itself. The father works for a company that specialises in home security devices. The moment The Purge begins, he pushes a few red buttons and every door and window is covered by a thick, protective wall. Cameras are set up all over the house and the yard. They are essentially locked in, and that is the way they want it. ...Or at least, that's how James and Mary like it. The son, Charlie, is secretly a huge fan of The Purge, and has a hidden room covered with his fan art. Zoey is unavailable for comment, but she's probably in her room, blasting angsty music into her eardrums  because she hates everyone and everything.

A few hours into the event, Charlies watches as a man guy begs for help on one of the cameras. The man is screaming in the middle of the street, claiming he is innocent and he is being chased by people who want to kill him. You gather at this point that Charlie is pretty much retarded (figuratively), so he disarms the house and opens the doors to let the man in. The parents freak out and go upstairs to see some strange, raggedy man standing in their doorway. At this point, you don't know if the man is truly an innocent victim of The Purge, and neither does the family. The man makes a run for the inside of the house.

Aside from the mysterious man hiding somewhere in the house and Zoey's boyfriend being dead and whatnot, the house is pretty much safe and sound, right? Wrong. Charlie watches the video cameras just as a group of people start heading to their doorstep. Trick or treat! According to the ringleader of this mask-wearing mob, the homeless man the family is currently sheltering is homeless, and killed one of their members while they tried to kill him during the purge. They would very much like for the family to please hand him over--alive-- so they can finish the job. They don't state how long the family has to turn him over, but warn they do have supplies with the tools necessary to take down the house. He simply snaps his fingers, says "Okay, cut them now", and all the power in the house goes down.

Long story short, we follow the family as they try to hand over the man, but the man puts up a struggle. At one point, he even has Zoey at gunpoint. After a few hours, the passive-aggressive group announces over loudspeaker that time is up. A semi is used to tear down the entire side of the house, thus letting about 10-15 bloodthirsty participants enter the Sanders' "safe and secure" home.

I won't even bother to put up how it ends. Normally, I don't spoil a movie because it's a great movie, and I hate to ruin a good movie. However, I'm not spoiling this movie because the ending was so disappointing. Good, I guess, but disappointing. If you're still interested in seeing this movie, bless your heart.

Would I recommend seeing it?
I want my $1.75 back.

Would I see it again?
Nope.

My final thoughts: The writers had a great idea to begin with: 12 hours in which you can commit any crime you want and not face consequences? Awesome! But then, they stick us inside a house and force us to stay inside and watch as stupid characters do stupid things. You never see outside the house except maybe the street on the surveillance cameras set up in the house. As a result, the setting is a bit claustrophobic. Also, I know you're not supposed to like the antagonist, but I have never hated a character so much in my life. I need to stop here, because just thinking about that man... UGH.

I think the movie could've had great potential if we were instead put in the shoes of someone who is participating in The Purge. While he's out breaking ribs and smashing skulls of people who have done him wrong,  other bloodthirsty participants are hot on his trail as well. Like.. An ex-girlfriend out for revenge, or a jealous business partner from his past. My point is, take this great 12-hour crime spree concept and turn it into action! Adventure! Excitement! SOMETHING.