"The Purge: Anarchy" Review

Title: The Purge: Anarchy

Directed by: James DeMonaco

Screenplay by: James DeMonaco

Year: 2014


Regardless of the quality, The Purge: Anarchy and its predecessor do have an undeniably interesting premise. A world where crime rates are at an all time low because one night a year, for twelve hours, all crime becomes legal. The Purge was not well received neither by critics nor the audience. So, did The Purge: Anarchy improve upon its predecessor, or is it just another miss?

As obvious from the title and my introduction, the movie has the same premise as the previous Purge film. Crime is legal for one night. This time however, we have four people who are trapped outside with nowhere to hide. They meet a man with plenty of guns and the skills to use them and now this band of five people must reach safety until the clock runs out.

The main story is rather simple but in this case we shouldn't be expecting something complicated or elaborate. The story, though predictable up until the end, works for the film. That being said, the reason for the plot even existing is through the stupidity of some characters. At one point, a girl and her mother are hiding in a closet from a man with a gun. The man is calling them out, and the girl responds "We're back here. We have guns," or something along those lines. If you're hiding from a killer, why would you announce your position and then risk bluffing him? Such stupidity is riddled throughout the film and is the only reason the plot unfolds. And then there are the plot conveniences. There are few moments that seem to come out of nowhere and only serve to keep the plot going and the characters together. I won't get into detail, but the scene in the apartment with one of the character's friends is the definition of lazy and forced writing.

Speaking of characters, allow me to address them. Or rather him, seeing as how there really is only one character. His name isn't given until the very, very end of the film, but he is played by Frank Grillo. Frank Grillo is good at being an action star and he does his best with this role. He brings humanity to the role and is the only one of the group that we can really get attached to. Frank Grillo is easily the best part of the entire movie. He carries the entire film. The rest of the characters are one note and expendable. If any of them were to die, nothing would be felt for them because we don't connect with these cardboard cutouts.

Something that caught me by surprise is the style this move took on. Whereas the previous one was a standard home invasion horror flick, this is much more along the lines of an action thriller. Quite an unexpected change from the first film, and I'd say that it works rather well as an action thriller. It's nowhere near the best one out there and it's not revolutionary in any way, but it is entertaining. It does have some rather tense scenes, but again, nothing spectacular. There are various minor villains throughout the film and, to their credit, they are all distinct. What I did enjoy was some rather interesting concepts that further develop the interesting premise. For instance, the way the rich people purge is by paying a large sum to a family in exchange for a member of that same family for them to kill within their home. Another example is the auction house. It was creepy, sickening, and downright demented, but it fit the film well.

The direction by DeMonaco is mediocre in general. There are many lingering shots that serve no purpose and an extensive amount of closeups. Closeup shots are often used to get a sense of connection or intimacy with the characters of a film. DeMonaco however, uses this technique so often that it loses its effect and makes each shot more exhausting. However, there a are a few moments of impressive direction, mainly when showing the streets of the city. Overall, I'd say the direction is a mixed bag, but closer to the worse side of the spectrum.

Honestly, there's not much to say about The Purge: Anarchy. It has a great lead, seeing as Frank Grillo makes this film. The premise is interesting and takes more advantage of it than the last movie, which is an improvement, but it still falls short as a narrative. The side characters are basic and one dimensional, the thrills and action are actually well handled, and there are some interesting concepts. Is it enough to save this film? No. However, I will say that I did have a fun time with this movie. The Purge: Anarchy is not a good movie, but it makes for an entertaining watch. If you're looking for a pretty good, mindless time in the theaters, I'd say check it out. However, if you need more like a good story, fleshed out characters, and great cinematography, I'd advise you to skip it.

Grade: C