Plot
After decades of civil unrest, massive unemployment, and increasing homicides in the US, a third party called the NFFA (New Founding Fathers of America) have taken the office of the Presidency of the United States.
They have declared that for one night, all crime is legal – rendering the rest of the 364 1/2 days of the year illegal, after special research was done by a renowned psychiatrist.
This is the first year of “The Purge” and the test city is on Staten Island, NY. Will it be a success? And will people actually Purge??
Direction
Directed by Gerald McMurray, from a script written by James DeMonaco – who did not return to direct this installment.
Cast
Y’lan Noel plays Dmitri.
Lex Scott Davis and Joivan Wade play sister and brother Nya and Isaiah.
Patch Darragh plays Arlo Sabian – Chief of Staff for the NFFA.
Marisa Tomei plays Dr May Updale – the creator of The Purge.
Breakdown
I did enjoy that this film at least gave us a little more insight into the inception of the NFFA and The Purge itself. Like the other films, it shows that there were those very much in favour of it, and those who are against it.
Here, people are more skeptical, and unsure about what is to follow – and that goes for those within the NFFA too. There are really two narratives that we are shown. The NFFA who are watching in the wings, and those who are ‘participating’. Those who do participate, will get a financial assistance, something that hasn’t been broached before, and it was a solid foundation of why those would stay and potentially ‘compete’.
This is a great debate of how the lower class struggle to survive, and would do anything for financial assistance, something that is relevant still today – and can be found in any country.
What I didn’t enjoy was the characters of those who did stay on Staten Island. None of them feel overly likeable. The main character is essentially Dmitry – who is a neighborhood drug king pin. He is in an on again off again relationship with Nya – whose younger brother Isaiah becomes a drug mule for Dmitry.
Dmitry staying, is more about him protecting his business, and holding his leadership within gang territory. I felt that the “Purge” itself was almost a secondary narrative. Other characters aren’t overly likeable, so when they fall you don’t really feel much of anything.
The narrative I found the most interesting was that of how the Purge was created. It was thought of by Marisa Tomei’s Dr Updale, who works for the NFFA. At first because there isn’t enough ‘Purgers’ – (and it takes a while to begin) – it becomes clear that the NFFA starts to ‘insert themselves’ into the activity – and falsifying the results. I wanted more of this storyline (especially given that you have superstar Tomei as one of the bigwigs!).
I didn’t really buy that she would have a change of heart, the same goes with Skeletor who is set up to be a big bad, but then, not.
I was disappointed that some of the action happens ‘off screen’ like the church shoot out, and Dmitry finding one of his people dead in the streets. I didn’t feel anything really for the third act shoot out/save the day moment either.
Overall
Disappointing part of the franchise – especially given we are four films in at this stage.
The characters are unlikeable, and the action is poor – and often done ‘off screen’.
It feels more about gang territory than about the Purge itself.
I wanted more about the NFFA themselves, and the inception of The Purge.
Not a recommend.
2/5
