The Purge, written and directed by James DeMonaco, is the first of a franchise consisting of five Purge movies and a TV series. The movie takes place in what appears to be an idyllic, near-future United States where crime rates have fallen through the floor, the economy is up, and all citizens are uber-happy about every aspect of the fresh society created by the New Founding Fathers. Everything is so great, ostensibly, because one night a year, for twelve hours, all crime is completely legal. News blurbs tell us that all of America is excited about that night’s festivities without any wariness about the obvious lawlessness that will come along with the Purge.
Buy The Purge Blu-rayEthan Hawke plays James Sandin, a salesman who has broken the annual record for security-system sales just hours before the beginning of the Purge. The mention of security systems and the incredible security measures meant to turn the Sandin house into a fortress are the only hints there is a dark side to the newly restructured United States. His wife, Mary (Lena Headey), and their two children, Charlie and Zoey (Max Burkholder and Adelaide Kane), are all proud of dad’s hard work and accomplishment. Moments before the Purge is set to begin, James presses a button and steel walls slide into place covering every window and door. Security cameras scan every room and several views of the outdoors. The Sandin’s should be safe for the night.
Luckily for the audience, human nature kicks in when a homeless man shows up at the door screaming for help. He is being chased by a group of Purge enthusiasts who want to rid the world of one more useless bum. But Charlie believes the homeless man deserves sanctuary and lets down the home defenses for a couple minutes allowing the homeless man to get into the house. As soon as the Sandin house is buttoned up again, a large group of Purgers (people who believe it is their patriotic duty to stop all crime) shows up requesting that the Sandins release their prey. At this point, and finally, The Purge takes on the ethics of a night when crime is legal. Will the Sandins send the homeless man out to meet his fate or attempt to give him safe harbor?
The Purge takes its time to get up to speed. You’ll never feel too frightened for the fates of the Sandins. There is some suspense as to how the Purgers will enter the house to extract their quarry. Unfortunately, that “how” is not only boring and simplistic, it presents a rather large plot hole pertaining to all Americans’ safety during the night. The only bonus feature, though an entertaining little treat, is a nine-minute documentary titled “Surviving the Night: The Making of The Purge.”
