Review: The Purge

Based on the trailer, this movie looks promising, it feels like something new will be brought in and it is being directed by the guy who wrote 'The Negotiator' which was an incredible thriller but will his directing skills have the same prowess? Find out below.

Synopsis:
If on one night every year, you could commit any crime without facing consequences, what would you do? In The Purge, a speculative thriller that follows one family over the course of a single night, four people will be tested to see how far they will go to protect themselves when the vicious outside world breaks into their home. In an America wracked by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity-including murder-becomes legal. The police can't be called. Hospitals suspend help. It's one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking. When an intruder breaks into James Sandin's (Ethan Hawke) gated community during the yearly lockdown, he begins a sequence of events that threatens to tear a family apart. Now, it is up to James, his wife, Mary (Lena Headey), and their kids to make it through the night without turning into the monsters from whom they hide. Directed by James DeMonaco (writer of Assault on Precinct 13 and The Negotiator), The Purge is produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse (Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister), Platinum Dunes' partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (The Amityville Horror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), as well as Sébastien Kurt Lemercier (Assault on Precinct 13).(c) Universal

Story:
As you have read from the synopsis above, a government act called "The Purge" was implemented whereas you can kill, rape etc. whoever you want for once a year in the span of 12 hours. Sounds like great idea for a movie right? I was hooked on the first half of this movie as it delivered something a bit original. The tone of the first half was good, it delivers thrills and confusion and then the second half came along, and it all went downhill from there. This "unique" idea suddenly became a cliched slasher film that overtime gets repetitive, although at times it managed to deliver some good jump scares (but honestly, that was a cheap scare). At this part of the film I got a little bored waiting for something new to happen, to my disappointment, none whatsoever.

Acting:
This movie stars Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey, both of them are pretty solid actors especially Hawke and I must say that they gave a good enough performance to actually save this movie. I liked Ethan Hawke in here because he really showcased a father who will do anything if it means saving his family and as for Lena Headey she showed a performance that completely mirrors what Hawke is trying to do. As for their kids, they were just downright irritating and you would not care for them if they got killed in this event. Lastly, the guy who played the villain (Rhys Wakefield) was good in here despite a short screen time for his character.

Action/Violence:
Yes this movie became a slasher flick but the action here was pretty good, it gives thrills and excitement and as for a horror-ish film it has some very creative kills. This aspect of the movie helped me to keep watching the movie.

Cinematography:
For a horror film, the cinematography here was effective, it was able to show the creepiness of the villains and the lighting here was good, not too dark and not too bright, perfect for the tone they are going for.

Direction:
James DeMonaco directed 'Staten Island', I haven't seen that film, nor do I have any plans. I have to say though that I enjoyed 'The Negotiator' and 'Assault on Precinct 13' both of them were an effective thriller for me, after seeing this though, I'm disappointed from him. The way he directed the actors was not that good (apart from Hawke and Leadey), the pacing he made for the second half of the film was boring and not as effective as the first half.

Overall:
'The Purge' is not a bad film overall, although the film failed to make itself original as it just became something that was overly done before. I was disappointed from this film based on the trailers, that said, I still managed to enjoyed the film for what it was but I am not looking forward to the sequel. I give this a 2.5/5

Favorite line: "Now get the hell out of my house." -Mary (Lena Headey)