The Purge(2013) Film Review

Rating: 2.5 Stars Out of 4 Thumbs Up.

Rated R For Strong Disturbing Violence And Some Language.

1hr 25min/85min.

5 uses of the F-word.

James : Tonight allows people a release for all the hatred and violence that they keep up inside them.

Charlie : Why don't you guys kill someone tonight?

James : Because we don't feel the need to, Charlie.

The Purge gets some major points for having one of the most original concepts in years. One day out of the year where all crime is legal for 12 Hours. Now I know everyone wants to enact the Purge on some of their peers, not me personally. How does the concept translate to screen? Eh.... not as well as one would hope. It's a decent film, but can't quite live up to the potential that it held. But it does have a few good performances to keep the ship afloat.

The year is 2022. Unemployment is at an all-time low, the same with the crime rate. However, one day out of the year, the annual Purge is held, where crime is legal for 12 hours, 7:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. James Santin(Ethan Hawke) and his family lock down for the night as always. But his son sees someone crying for help. He lets him in but a group of people demand the man. If they do not deliver hime in the time provided, then they will forcefully enter the house and kill his family.

The film has a pretty Lackluster first hour. Ethan Hawke gives a great performance as he always does. It is interseting to see him in this type of genre film. But the best performance in this film goes to Rhys Wakefield as the main leader of the Purgers. However, the rest of this hour is very boring, predictable and uneventful. When the stranger enters the house it becomes predictable trifle, he is not fleshed out enough and is not an interesting character to be worthy of screentime.

Now the last 20 minutes are excellent and superbly thrilling, however, when the true villain is revealed, it's not at all thrilling but eye-rolling. As the family is being chased throughout the house, the tension cuts you like a knife. There is a surprise that I didn't see coming. Ethan Hawke gives a performance that fits his career well and Rhys Wakefield is really terrifying in these last few minutes.
 

I really think that the film should have focused on two familes instead of one. One family against the Purge and the other that participates in it. The film never really delves into that and I left the film feeling that a part of the film was left on the cutting room floor. A part of it feels unfinished and I will admit that the last 5 minutes feel a little rushed. But it's all worth it for Hawke and Wakefield.
 

I know it seems like I'm bashing on The Purge, but I'm not. The last 20 Minutes solidifies the film as being good. I would recommend it as a very high rental, but not anything that you need to see. The film has one of the most original concepts in film, but has one of the most disappointing executions in film. But man that Wakefield is scary good. Now imagine if this film stared a young Macauly Culkin and was a Home Alone-type situation. Now that would be something to see.