'The Purge: Anarchy': Total Depravity on Display

"Just remember all the good The Purge does..." - Mary Sandin [The Purge]

Welcome to America, the year is 2033. Low unemployment rates, low crime rates and a booming economy nationwide all thanks to The New Founding Fathers of America. How? Well the Purge of course! The Purge is an annual instituted nationwide practice designed for the great American people to release their negative emotions and cleanse themselves of all hate and malice. Once a year, there is a 12 hour period in which all criminal activity, including murder, is legal. There are only two rules: government employees over a certain rank are not to be harmed, and all weapons such as missile launchers, nuclear bombs and exploding puppies above "Class 4" are strictly prohibited. Breaking these rules will result in harsh punishment following the Purging period.


It's time to go hunting, my friends.

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James DeMonaco's 'The Purge: Anarchy' is an indirect sequel to 'The Purge' so that means there isn't too much relation to each film's stories and there's really no need to see 'The Purge' before you watch this movie. No more hiding in houses behind a security system. This time you get to see the horrors and chaos of the Annual Purge outside and in the streets of Los Angeles. Don't worry, there's a few buddies who join your tour of hell. Here's the setup.

Introducing the-only-human-with-common-sense Leo (played by Frank Grillo) on a mission to take care of something very important, the-stranded-dramatic-couple-with-issues Shane (played by Zach Gilford) and Liz (played by Kiele Sanchez) , and the have-to-be-dysfunctional-sisters Cali (played by Zoe Soul) and Tanya (played by Justina Machado). Leo goes on a drive during the Purge to do his very important thing and on the way decides to play a hero and save Cali and Tanya from soldiers who were trying to capture them. While that's going on, Shane and Liz (randomly) find his car and decide to hide in the back seat. After a Bourne-like awesome fight sequence then he returns to the car to escape with Cali and Tanya only to find out that he has two stowaways now. After some loud shouting and attracting attention they all speed off (and turn the longest corner you will ever see in your life) and are stuck together until the end of the Purge. Yea...it's a clustercuss of personalities so you pretty much know things won't go according to plan.

Rule #1 Don't talk about fight club Never play the hero.

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While I appreciate the attempt to have the audience experience the horrors of the Purge from different perspectives, there was just too much stupidity that came along with it. Here's an example (Not a spoiler). Let's say Leo says "Stay here guys, I'll be right back". First there's the typical "I don't trust him...he's shady" then there's the "Why are you leaving us again!?!?!?" and finally there's the "Oh I see something shiny!"

Yea.

It's expected at first but by the end of the movie you will end up on your knees begging for Leo to just put a bullet into someone and make life easier. It gets annoying and gets in the way of everything. Dang it Leo you are way too nice!!!!

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I'm just gonna say it now:

This isn't for kids. This isn't for young adults. This isn't for the faint of heart.

Abuse of language, dead bodies everywhere, mass murdering sprees on the poor and less fortunate and the disregard of the sanctity of human life make 'The Purge: Anarchy' an (intentionally) disturbing movie. This movie does a stellar job of shaking you at your very core as you sit there and wonder how could people possibly participate in this. The fear factor was ramped up significantly this time around, and I welcome it with open arms. The menacing looks and driving soundscape gives you chills as you sit on the edge of your seat wondering what's gonna happen next.

What's even more disturbing is how sickeningly creative people got with the idea of an Annual Purge. If you thought it was twisted before, wait until you see this movie. Not only is there public murder but apparently some of the less fortunate sell their lives to rich families in exchange for large sums of money so that their loved ones can at least have food on the table; a concept the rich community calls "Personal Purging". There were also instances of hired guns capturing whoever they can find and taking them to "The Hunting Grounds"; a place where rich families bid on groups of people to kill for entertainment and sport. It becomes obvious that the Annual Purge really only benefits the rich and those who manage to survive. This left me, and everyone else in the theatre, angry beyond belief. 'The Purge: Anarchy' is fantastic at making you feel raw emotion, especially anger, and really pulling those feelings out of you. That's something a lot of films miss out on. I personally think really good concepts and plots are supposed to make you feel something. Well played James DeMonaco, well played.

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Whenever I mention 'The Purge: Anarchy' I usually get the age-old question of "Was it better than the first one?" to which I will continuously respond "Yes!". 'The Purge: Anarchy' did well to top it's predecessor. Different plot, fast-paced action, awesome cinematography, and new thrills make this movie something to remember. Making the plot more or less disconnected from 'The Purge' was a really good move and shows that sometimes we can really have our cake and eat it too. The concept of another-year-another-Purge can honestly keep going for years and years to come (let's hope it doesn't) but it leaves a door open for new ideas and new perspectives with each coming year and I admire that. I didn't feel chained to the first installment but I didn't feel completely far away from it either. 'The Purge: Anarchy' kept it's essence but grew into something worth admiring and I respect that. A lot.

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'The Purge: Anarchy' came out punching and you'll certainly be left with some bruises. This haunting and eerie film will keep you occupied and punching the back of the chair in front of you from start to finish. You will leave the theatre with the haunting question "Can this really happen?" and I think that's exactly what this movie was going for. There are definitely some quirks, such as the annoying mesh of characters, that could've been fixed to make this movie one of my favorites of 2014, next to 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' and ''The Fault in Our Stars' but all in all I didn't regret paying to see this. A really good watch for sure.

I'm very careful to recommend this to anyone because, as expected, this is a very intense and graphic movie. If you're thinking about watching this, I recommend you read through this review and check out the movie's IMDb page to make sure you know what you're getting into.

Happy Purging!