Movie Review : The Purge

I guess deep down, we all wished that we could reach for that blunt weapon and hit, smack the person you hate so damn much and pound them into oblivion if we could without having to suffer any consequences or legal issues. Introducing the The Purge.

Synopsis

The Purge is a 2013 American science fiction thriller film directed and written by James DeMonaco. Starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey, the film is set in the year 2022 when the United States have become "a nation reborn", with crime and unemployment rates hitting an all-time low, due to the government having instituted an annual 12-hour period called "the Purge" during which all criminal activity (including murder, theft, rape, etc.) becomes legal. The only rules during the Purge are that government officials of "ranking 10 or higher" must remain unharmed and usage of weaponry above "Class 4" (such as WMDs) is forbidden. The Purge is designed to act as a catharsis for the American people, so that they may vent all negative emotions however they desire.

The Verdict

First of all, this hell of a concept is one helluva way to release your pent-up anger and frustrations. Yes, it's true and I agree but honestly, that's just morally insane and logically ridiculous. But hey, it's the year of 2022. I guess anything could take precedent over what should have and what shan't be done. After all, we all know how weak and submissive the human race is. But that's the ethical/political view of this movie. Let's start the 'cleansing' shall we?

The word 'cleansing' in the previous para isn't just for show. I don't know about you guys but this film has quite some grotesque feature when it comes to its concept. I don't know on what basis they got this, but legalizing crime once a year is definitely not cathartic. Well, it might be for certain sadist and masochist but the idea of this 'purging' annually doesn't make us any better human, but more of a schizoid human with a sick mind. Albeit the crime rates and 'imperfections' in the country are next to nil because of this act. Why not just admit that you all wish to submit to anarchy and take a plunge into a cataclysmic nature?

This guys and his cronies are one of the reason why 'The Purge' is questionable in every sense of the word. It drives human with no real grasp of humanity to a state of cult-like beliefs that poor/defenseless should just die, reason being 'non-productive'. It just is simply wrong. They took the concept 'purging' to a whole new level; as if killing during 'The Purge' is a sanction that obligates them to search for lesser human beings just for their own clarity of the mind. *scoffs* The 'dirty' part of The Purge however comes with the whole home-invasion movies where they family tries to struggle through it all, but we all know how dreadfully predictable what is going to happen next. I shall spare you the 'gory' details but just say that what you might imagine from the situation I've already given you, you might be right.

Another 'filth' that you can might pique your interest is the violence in the movie. It is rated R for a reason. With an endless streams of blood in every shot and bad languages, this movie doesn't disappoint on the carnage though. If you want something like SAW, then maybe you won't be so disappointed but it isn't really up to that par or that good though. Though you can tell how DeMonaco wanted to portray violence in our society by showing the struggle between the rich/poor, and more, but he really did not give enough time for the viewers to stop and think, analyze, and understand the concept behind all of what was happening. At the end, you'll just sit there, enjoying the slaughter, and came out brainless than ever.

But it wouldn't be fair to just simply state out the imperfections in this movie. Like I said earlier, this movie will not disappoint you in the 'thrill' factor. It is entertaining and fulfilling enough to keep you always on your edge, anticipating what lurks behind each corner of the house, the massacre, and the unexpected twist (unexpected? Nah, it was so predictable.). If you listen carefully to the radio conversation at the start of the movie and watch carefully the few minutes at the beginning, the movie foreshadows a lot of what's going to happen. It is such a give-away.

However, seeing how I have accustomed how Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister, I just can't shake her image of a protective mother, which wasn't all that much of a difference, especially at the ending part of the movie when you realize how strong and determined she is. That shotgun-butt smack on the nose and head smack on the table was just awesome. Priceless even!

I really don't know what else can I say about this movie other than it's a total cliche and you better off staying far away from it and not having to 'purge' the memories of watching it like I did.