Review of The Purge: Anarchy (2014) by Inktomi — 28 Jul 2014

Why I gave The Purge: Anarchy a 10.

Blumhouse Studios has successfully started a new franchise with the original Purge. In this suspenseful grimdark and edgy sequel director James Demonaco paints an America tapping into its primal instincts for one night of survival of the fittest.

This is a great piece of alternative history fiction. I would put it right up there with other popular names in the genre such as Fatherland, The Watchmen and even Hunger Games.

I am not going to put any spoilers in this review, I am just going to recommend this movie for numerous reasons.

1) It's different and pushes certain social-economic topics in our face that we, as Americans refuse to see. The treatment of the poor, the privilege of the rich and how the government caters to one while punishing another.

2) Great concept that dates back to an old short story called The Lottery and expands it on a nationwide scale.

3) The suspense was compounded by great music that helped build an eerie and foreboding atmosphere. Remember old John Carpenter movies? Same aspect.

4) Great acting, I didn't have to get emotionally attached to anyone, they all played their parts accordingly, making the tension even more believable.

5) Cinematography was very good as well. A little darker than I would have liked it, but it is fitting for the content.

6) The violence is not too graphic. You can see worse on cable television. It's not gratuitous at all. Which it could have been, little dissapointed about that. I have to commend the studio on not making this a torture movie.

There are some deeper issues touched on in The Purge: Anarchy, you just have to look a little bit beyond the darkness to see them. Infidelity, trust, revenge, poverty, forgiveness and the bourgeois are all present. If you can get past the fear and suspense you will see how the studio wove them into the story.

Yeah, I know that there are a lot of movies out now vying for your $30-50 date night or if your out with your boys, you matinee night. I would recommend this to horror fans, suckers suspense, violence thrillseekers and anyone else who wants to watch the birth of a new franchise.

Thank your for suffering through my 2000 word dissertation, I felt this movie deserved it. And for the TL:DR crowd. It's good. John Carpenter style of good.

I will leave you off with a prediction of the future. Coming soon to a theater near you: The Purge: Rebellion.