The Purge (2013)

I will add my agreement with the swathes of people who hate this stupid film. One key thing was the reason the neighbours gave for wanting to kill the family - because they were sold security systems by the father which enabled them to build an extension. Truly laughable. The use of the homeless man at the end to save everyone was so predictable. Just awful from start to finish. And to Cersei Lannister: Shame!

The purge is a moderately thrilling experience that delivers intriguing world building and social commentary. It is disappointing that the film is undermined by mediocre performances and clichés. The Purge features a number of plot twists, however these are somewhat contrived.

It's simply hard to believe that several people gave this the green light. The premise is the stupidest ever. Nothing makes any sense from there. A complete, irritating waste of time.

This review contains spoilers.The Purge is a thriller movie set in the United States where all crime is legal for one night a year. The movie is directed and written by James DeMonaco. The movie stars Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey as they try to survive the violent night.The Purge is a typical home invasion story with a political twist. The main characters are in an upper class family that has numerous tools and options to survive. The young boy in the family shelters a poor person on the run from rich upper class citizens trying to kill him. It is this event that sets the rest of the movie into action as the gang now target the house. These plot events highlight the main weakness of the movie, its writing. The sheltering of the poor man does not happen organically, but rather through a freak sequence of circumstances it is allowed to happen. It is also strange that many people would not simply take a trip abroad to avoid The Purge. A quick flight or drive to Canada or Mexico could prevent their murder. There is no in universe explanation for why the citizens cannot simply leave the United States. It simply happens and the audience has to accept it.The directing is bland with some highlights. The scenes in the dark reflect the low budget nature of the movie. These scenes were well done but the low budget showed in them. The editing and effects were decent. The masks the purgers wear range from creepy to funny. The acting is decent with everyone putting up an acceptable performance. No scenes in the movie stick out as memorable.Overall, The Purge can be a fun movie if one turns off their brain. It is not a movie that can last scrutiny in its plot or setting.