Review of The Purge: Election Year (2016) by Thequietgamer — 11 Dec 2016

Election Year proves to be the first Purge movie to truly blow us away. It essentially does so by amplifying everything that worked in Anarchy, while avoiding it's misguided political and social messages. The plot is tighter, the characters are better, and the events are more deranged.

The horrifying events and depictions of brutality are handled better than ever. There's a sense of shock and tension that was missing from the other two. Themes of human cruelty are still on display, this time more maniacal than ever. The deranged costumes of the psychopathic purgers and the well-crafted action make for a more exciting experience. When it comes to horror this is the best Purge yet.

It's actually the best Purge all around. It focuses on the best aspects of the first two movies, while scrapping most of the problems. Writer and director James DeMonaco even handles his political and social commentary better this time around. A few familiar beats in the plot are noticeable. The bad guys have that oh so familiar tendency to go on pre-kill rants that last just long enough for our heroes to save the day, but it's got enough twists, turns, likable characters, and brutal violence to keep us going. If this is in fact the last chronological Purge, the series concluded it's story on a very high note. One that makes the future of the series, no matter where it takes place in the timeline, look brighter than ever. Election Year is even strong enough to make Purge haters change their minds. It's that much of an improvement.

9.