Review of The Purge: Anarchy (2014) by Daniel O — 21 Oct 2014

"ONCE A YEAR, ALL CRIME IS PERMITTED".

- 'The Purge: Anarchy' is a 2014 action horror film written and directed by James DeMonaco, who also made the first film 'The Purge'. I have to say I liked the sequel better than the previous film, as this time we get to follow several people who team up trying to survive the annual Purge in L.A. streets. Some jumpy moments and unexpected twists, but most of all pure and raw action and suspense. Starring Frank Grillo (Captain America: Winter Soldier, the Grey), Zach Gilford (the Last Stand, Devil's Due) and Kiele Sanchez (the Prefect Getaway,30 Days of Night: Dark Days). How would you survive?

One a year the government holds a 'Purge', on which all violence and crime, including murder, is allowed. Several hours before the event takes place, people start to prepare: either by barricading themselves inside their home or by taking part. Shane (Gilford) and his girlfriend Liz (Sanchez) are travelling to the house of Shane's sister. After stopping at a gas station, the two notice a gang of men who await the start of the Purge. Along the way Shane and Liz have car trouble and discover that they are the prey of the gang they encountered.

The poor waitress Eva Sanchez comes home from work to her father Rico and daughter Cali. As the women lock down their apartment so that they will be safe during the Purge, the old man slips outside where a limo awaits him. Alone in the flat, mother and daughter get a surprise visit by their neighbor, who wants to rape them. Suddenly, the building is overrun by a group of professional hunters, who carry Eva and Cali outside.

At the same time Police Sergeant Leo Barnes (Grillo) is inside his armored car, planning to take part in the Purge to avenge the death of his son. When he comes across Eva, Cali, Liz and Shane, Leo becomes their beacon of hope to survive the night. But where to go?