THE Purge (2013) received encouraging success at the box office, mostly because of its intriguing plot. A day where all criminal activity, including murder, is officially legalised. Police, fire, and medical emergency services are all suspended for the day as well.
Set in America in the near future, the film sees the US government, now called The New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA), sanctioning the annual Purge, taking place every March 21. The tradition has proven to be effective in the government’s efforts to lower crime and unemployment.
The idea of legalised crime may sound interesting, but watching it is unbelievably heart-wrenching. There is so much ruthless killing as if humans have lost touch with themselves.
The level of violence rises with the sequel. The Purge: Anarchy (2014) and this one, Election Year, increasingly make you feel that The Purge is just an excuse to kill for sport.
The Purge was about a family held hostage for providing shelter to the target of a murderous syndicate during the annual Purge. Thankfully, the plot improved in Anarchy, in which we learn that the rich take pleasure in killing the poor on Purge Night.
In Election Year, there is someone who still has humanity and conscience to put a stop to the violence. Presidential candidate Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell) stands by her strong beliefs to have the Annual Purge abolished. This is fuelled by her experience of witnessing her family being murdered on a Purge Night 18 years ago.
Naturally, her vow to eliminate The Purge doesn’t sit well with the members of the NFFA, who want to bring her down. Protecting her at all costs is her head of security Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo) who also finds himself in danger when they are thrown onto the streets of Washington DC during Purge Night after being betrayed by his own staff.
The Senator and Leo find help in deli owner Joe Dixon (Mykelti Williamson), his Mexican immigrant worker Marcos (Joseph Julian Soria), and his long-time friend Laney Rucker (Betty Gabriel).
Reformed gang member Laney, on the other hand, go around in her van offering medical help to victims. Upon meeting Leo and the Senator, the three make it their mission to save the latter no matter what, hoping she will be able to fulfil her promise to have The Purge abolished.
This time around as well, some Russian tourists have flown to America just to be part of The Purge. But more worrying is how the government is accused of using The Purge for their economic agenda, to eliminate those who are a welfare-and-healthcare burden on the economy.
Again, it is sickening to see how the rich, led by Roan’s Presidential opponent Minister Edwidge Owens (Kyle Secor) take pleasure in killing the poor. They even claim God encourages them to “cleanse and purge”.
Just like in its predecessors, Election Year doesn’t show the aftermath of the annual ritual.
Again, humanity is questioned in Election Year, as are issues of racism, class and economic disparities. Roan and Owens’ election campaigns will remind you of the political situations in the US right now.
Meanwhile, viewers can marvel at the techniques used for the kills. Director James DeMonaco, who made all three Purge films, certainly has the creativity when it comes to this.
The masks that the purgers wear are also inventive. There are different ones in all three films. The music score is impressive as well.
I enjoyed watching Gabriel play the tough-as-nails Laney. She showcases such admirable strength that she makes a great heroine.
Mitchell also plays her part well as a politician. Roan has the conviction, and emotional and moral strength that someone needs in order to lead a nation.
Unfortunately, the action was marred at times when some scenes involving rather violent acts were censored.
How are we expected to understand what happened if these scenes are omitted, especially when they are vital to the plot?
The film has a sprinkling of obscene dialogue which is also censored, so it makes watching the film annoying. The film is rated 18 after all. Why is the need for censorship?
Nevertheless Election Year is enjoyable, thanks to its strong plot and memorable characters.
For those who follow the franchise, don’t give this a miss because it got better.