Review of The Purge: Election Year (2016) by Kevin P — 26 Oct 2018

Strengths: As always, the concept behind this franchise allows for a lot of cool ideas to come to fruition. There are almost unlimited avenues you can take it. Going the political route was unique and very timely. I really liked how they took time to look at the way this night affects things on a political scale. The poor are dying with ease because they can't protect themselves. I also appreciated the connection to the prior films, even if they were small. Frank Grillo (Leo Barnes) is once again solid as a tough guy in this world, while Elizabeth Mitchell (Charlene Roan) does well as the candidate looking to end the Purge. James DeMonaco might have done his best job from a director's standpoint in this one. I want more looks at how chaotic this night is and we get plenty of looks. The vandalized Lincoln Memorial, the random guillotine, and the car with victims strapped to it were all good visuals.

Weaknesses: Again, the Purge continues to be a great idea that kind of disappoints. It just feels like there should always be more, even when they manage to expand on the universe. I'm not a big fan of the way they've gone away from the horror/thriller genre. This is a terrifying situation, but the movies have gone into the action genre. If they can showcase more of the world like they have, but do so in a frightening way, it would be ideal. Some bits feel like they don't get as much shine as they should. For example, tourists coming to Purge feels like something cool, but is mostly glossed over other than one scene.

Overall: It's another good installment in the Purge franchise, yet another one that doesn't live up to its potential.