Movie Review: The Purge

Cast:

Ethan Hawke: James Sandin

Lena Headey: Mary Sandin
Max Burkholder: Charlie Sandin

Rhys Wakefield: Polite Stranger

Runtime: 85 min

Rating: R

Plot:  A family is held hostage for harboring the target of a murderous syndicate during the Purge, a 12-hour period in which any and all crime is legalized.

In My Opinion: This was yet another one on my must see list ever since I first saw the trailer. The concept of this movie is that in the future, the United States allows for a 12-hour period of crime to be legal, including murder (with a class 4 weapon or below), so that people may cleanse themselves of hatred and violence. As a result, the country sees a decline in poverty and crime. The story begins with James Sandin (Hawke) returning home from work just hours before The Purge is to commence. He's a salesman for an elaborate security system, and just scored the number one position in sales. He sits down in his mansion for dinner with his stay-at-home wife, disturbed son, and rebellious daughter, and we get the feeling no one is overly fond of dear old Dad. Mom has to deal with snarky neighbors who are jealous of the family's recent addition, the son is maybe suffering from some kind of mental disorder and likes to spy on people with a creepy baby doll robot, and the daughter is hiding a much older boyfriend in her bedroom who Mom and Dad don't approve of. But dear old Dad's security system is top notch, and the metal doors keep them secure for The Purge. Until, as seen in the trailers, the son decides to save a man yelling for help in the streets. Turns out the man (wearing dog tags) is running from a pack of creepy whack jobs, and these whack jobs tell the Sandins either they hand the man over to them, or they're going to break in and kill them all (enter the creepy MF in the picture above). But the family can't find the man as something else goes completely wrong inside their supposedly secure home. And that's when all hell breaks loose.

It Rating Time

The Story: 4.5 out of 5 stars: I'm not going to lie, this one scared the shit out of me. I held my hands over my mouth for a majority of the movie for an endless string of "holy crap" moments. The ending was unique and unexpected. Although there weren't any paranormal elements, the story was actually pretty disturbing as there are so many moral boundaries tested and broken.

The Acting: 4.5 out of 5 stars: This was one of those movies where I forgot everyone was acting, and got extremely wrapped up in the story. I almost cried for the mom at one point. Rhys Wakefield was brilliant, and played one of the creepiest parts I've seen since Heath Ledger's role as The Joker.

The Scare Factor: 5 out of 5 stars: It's not necessarily horror-scary, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat, and make you jump, plus the concept is just freaky.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom line: If you like original thrillers with disturbing plots, you'll definitely like this one!

~Jen

(Check out Jen's post on why this movie is so disturbing on her website)