“This is your emergency broadcast system announcing the commencement of the Annual Purge sanctioned by the U.S. Government. Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours.”
Every fan of the purge series remembers these haunting words broadcasted throughout the “Purge” universe at the beginning of each movie. Since the original “The Purge” (2013) audiences have flocked to witness the wanton destruction and anarchy that made the franchise iconified.
Although critics were lukewarm to the original film, movie goers found themselves entranced by the films fascinating premise. “The Purge” went on to gross a healthy $89 million out of an initial production budget of $3 million, and soon its creators devised ways to make even more money out of the original concept.
Now in its third installment, “The Purge” series has evolved to become more topical with current events.
“The Purge: Election Year” features the same basic premise of the original film. Average citizens must survive a 12-hour period of complete lawlessness, but has adapted the tested formula for our current election cycle.
In the film, young Senator Charlie Roan, played by Elizabeth Mitchell, represents a progressive candidate who wants to end the annual purge she says it harms the poor and benefits the rich.
If the character of Roan is meant to invoke Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton, then her opponents in the film are a clear jab to Republican Nominee Donald Trump.
Roan has launched a spirited presidential campaign against the incumbent New Founding Father’s party, which actively recruits white-supremists and ultra nationalists, much like Trump.
The marketing for “Purge: Election Year,” took serious jabs toward the Republican nominee for president. Faux pro-New Founding Father propaganda trailers urged viewers to perform their patriotic duty of conducting the purge, in order to “Keep America Great.”
It’s unfortunate a film that had so much to say ultimately managed to be rather unintelligent. Most of the movie is focused on Leo Barnes, played by Frank Grillo, a returning character that is tasked with ensuring that Senator Roan is not assassinated by the New Founding Fathers’ followers during Purge night.
Throughout the film they encounter various groups bent on ending the purge. One of these groups is led by Dante Bishop, played by Edwin Hodge, who is determined to end the purge as he believes it targets minorities and other less privileged peoples, a reference to the popular Black Lives Matter movement.
Roan and Barnes’ journey involves many shootouts and scenes of destruction. Although entertaining, the constant gunfire and explosions do not offer the most intellectually stimulating movie.
Although director and writer James DeMonaco clearly has much to say on the current state of American politics, his attraction to blowing stuff up often gets in the way of creating artistically substantial material.
“The Purge” series has the potential to survive, and all three films have made enough money to warrant further sequels. What remains to be seen is if audiences will continue to go to future films if the franchise does not make a more concerted effort to create more original films.
This election has created such a plethora of drama that cinema goers were excited to see the news adapted in a fun and exciting way. “The Purge” series can ensure a long life if it continues to excite potential viewers by referencing events topical to viewers lives.
Without such real-world integration, “The Purge” fans may suddenly realize that the franchise is desperate to find different ways to play the same tune, and stop spending their hard earned money on tickets to see the same film every year.
Sam Balas can be reached at [email protected]