Plot
The yearly purge is nearly two decades long. There are still those in the NFFA who strongly agree with it, and those on the opposing side.
For the first time in many years, Charlie Roan, a sitting senator – who opposes the NFFA has a good chance at winning the Presidency of the United States, and if she wins, she plans to cancel The Purge forever.
She vows to not hide away during this years purge, which for the first time ever will allow people in positions of power, like her, to be eliminated too.
When her home is breached, it is up to Leo Barnes, her head of security to keep her safe – and to rid the world of The Purge once and for all.
Direction
James DeMonaco returns to direct.
Cast
Frank Grillo is back as Leo Barnes, (from Anarchy) this time having his character named. It has been some time since the events of Anarchy – and Leo has grown to be a Purge opposer.
Elizabeth Mitchell plays Roan, and due to her ‘tough’ character from Lost, sells the ‘takes no BS’ senator.
Mykelti Williamson plays Joe, the owner of a small bodega who wants to protect his store through this years purge. He comes into contact with Barnes and Roan when they find themselves out on the street.
Other characters include Marcos (played by Joseph Soria) who is one of Joe’s employee’s who stays with Joe to watch the store, Laney (played by Betty Gabriel) who is a ‘freelance EMT’ assisting those injured during the purge, Danzinger (played by Terry Serpico) who is trying to find and kill whoever he wants during the purge, and has his eyes on Roan and Barnes.
Raymond J Barry plays the current POTUS who is the head of the NFFA, and Edwin Hodge returns as Dante Bishop – who was ‘The Bloody Stranger’ from the fist purge.
Breakdown
The film sets up a pretty specific timeline of exactly how long The Purge has been going for. In this film, it is the twentieth year anniversary – and around 17 years since the events of Anarchy, and 18 since the Sandin family’s story from the first film.
There is a far bigger Anti-NFFA movement established, and those within the NFFA are desperate to stop it, including changing the rules which allow them to be targets, in order to eliminate the one person who can bring them down – Charlie Roan – who is likely going to win the Presidency and end The Purge. This angers the current POTUS (so much so it is another example of why Americans shouldn’t use the C word).
Charlie’s head of security is revealed to be “The Sarge” from Anarchy – (whose name is revealed as Leo Barnes). He is now strongly against the Purge as well, and needs to keep her safe. This becomes a struggle when his own people, and those high up in setting up her protection betray her, and thankfully a quick thinking Leo gets her to safety.
I thought at one stage that this part of the film happened too quickly, but for what is necessary to occur within the film, it actually needed to happen early. Mitchell was solid throughout this part, and she gave “Juliet” vibes from her time on Lost.
This marries up with the secondary cast – including bodega owner Joe – who is holed up on his roof keeping his store safe alongside his protege Marcos. They are dealing with their own issues, when they come across Leo and Charlie – and now they must try keep her safe too!
Within this there is some ‘tertiary’ storylines such as; Joe’s Purge insurance lapses (which is why he is staying on at his store); Laney the EMT who frequents Joe’s store – and is planning on helping the helpless during the Purge event; the group of “anti NFFA” led by Dante Bishop (who are still planning on executing Charlie’s main competitor – which if happens will mean she will lose the election); and a group of mercenaries who are trying to hunt her and Leo throughout the night. They all tie nicely in to one another, and isn’t nearly as confusing as what I’ve made it out to be.
There are some convenient moments that occur, like when “the team” is stranded on the streets, and a deadly gang is approaching them… just so happens Joe used to be part of the gang and they get safe passage because of it (what luck!). Joe’s “heroic” sacrifice at the end of the film could have been done a bit better too, as it isn’t as emotional as it should be.
It also keeps you on the edge of your seat at times too, especially when Charlie is kidnapped by the NFFA at one stage, and as anything can happen in these films, you fear the worst (spoiler, she’s fine).
Overall
I quite liked this one, and especially the dynamic of those who are pro and against the purge.
The dynamic between Joe and Charlie is solid, and they are both played well by Grillo and Mitchell.
Followed by two more sequels (to date), the next being The First Purge (set 20 years prior to this), and The Forever Purge (set about 10 years after)
3.5/5
