Review: 'The Purge: Election Year' has a proper story and message
Senator Charlie (Elizabeth Mitchell) and bodyguard Leo (Frank Grillo) in “The Purge: Election Year.” (United International Pictures)
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 105 minutes (1.75 hours)
“The Purge: Election Year” is a thriller horror film that’s the third in “The Purge” series. During Purge Night, when all crime is legalised for 12 hours, a senator who opposes Purge Night flees for her life as Purge Night supporters attempt to murder her. It stars Frank Grillo (Leo Barnes), Elizabeth Mitchell (Senator Charlie Roan), Mykelti Williamson (Joe Dixon), Joseph Julian Soria (Marcos), Betty Gabriel (Laney Rucker), Terry Serpico (Earl Dazinger), and Edwin Hodge (Dante Bishop). It is rated NC-16.
If you’ve ever heard of “The Purge” series, then you know it’s really just a pretence for a film about wanton killings occurring in public. And that’s the basic gist of “The Purge” and “The Purge: Anarchy” since those films follow a group of ostensibly innocent folk as they try not to get murdered on the worst night of the year. However, this film takes a different approach, and gives us a real story about those with the power to change the system. It’s a refreshing approach, and creates a more meaningful movie as a result.
Chaos in “The Purge: Election Year.” (United International Pictures)
Highlights
A proper story and message
Compared to earlier instalments, where it was mainly an excuse for copious violence while awkwardly shoving in a social commentary, “The Purge: Election Year” has a decent plot that makes sense in the fantastically brutal world of the movie. Different political factions regard Purge Night differently, which provide believable motivations for otherwise ludicrous actions. Since the story is set against a political backdrop, the resultant message about violence and capitalism makes more sense, since the characters themselves espouse such views and are in a position to act on those views.
Addresses several real world consequences
While “The Purge: Election Year” doesn’t address the biggest issue (why doesn’t everyone just go overseas during Purge Night?), it does reveal several logical consequences of Purge Night. Tourism booms, exploitative insurance companies, and other small word building details add to the reality and difficulties of having such an event. It’s not entirely believable, but at least the film makes an effort to cover these issues.
Stronger stakes
With entire political factions for and against Purge Night, the film’s stakes are much larger than survival. The victory of the protagonist means a change to society itself, rather than staying alive for one more year (remember that they have to endure this every year). With larger stakes involved, you’re more invested in seeing the characters succeed in their mission, since it will change the status quo of the series.
Joe (Mykelti Williamson), Leo, Marco (Joseph Julian Soria), Laney (Betty Gabriel), and Senator Charlie in “The Purge: Election Year.” (United International Pictures)
Letdowns
Stupid jump scares
“The Purge: Election Year” has its roots in horror, so yes, you’ll find those dumb jump scares several times in the film. Fortunately, it’s been toned down from previous entries, but it’s still a cheap trick to keep the adrenalin pumping. The rest of the film is more gory and violent than frightening.
Can get long-winded and preachy
The film can get incredibly draggy at times, with various characters being thinly veiled mouthpieces for differing political views. That’s fine, but it slows down the action and doesn’t tell us anything we don’t already know. Besides, you’re watching “The Purge: Election Year” for the violence and carnage, not for an in-depth discussion of the evils of capitalism.
Masked attackers in “The Purge: Election Year.” (United International Pictures)
“The Purge: Election Year” is an improvement over previous films.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? No.
Score: 3.0/5
“The Purge: Election Year” opens 14 July, 2016 (Thursday).
Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes at marcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.
