To push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America test a sociological theory that vents aggression for one night in one isolated community. But when the violence of oppressors meets the rage of the others, the contagion will explode from the trial-city borders and spread across the nation.
Director: Gerard McMurray
Cast: Y'Lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade, Luna Lauren Velez,
Kristen Solis, Marisa Tomei
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Genres: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Rated R for strong disturbing violence throughout, pervasive language,
some sexuality and drug use
Runtime: 1h 37min
Review:
The First Purge, the 4th film in the horror franchise, is a
horror sequel that’ far better than it deserves to be. Series writer/wreator James DeMonaco’s clunky
script and characterizations, which have typified the entire franchise, is here
again delivering a horror film that about as subtle as a jackhammer. It’s never shy about letting you know what
its thinking or above pointing out specifically what it’s talking about. Still, there’s a strange effectiveness about
this entry. Director Gerard McMurray
delivers a visually impressive horror thriller that’s engaging enough to make
you overlook some of the story’s failings.
The visual story playing and bloody action sequences are incredibly well
done, making for visceral experience.
The cast carries themselves well even with the paper thin caricatures
they’re given. The immensely talented Y'Lan
Noel, known mostly for HBO’s Insecure, gives a noteworthy performance that’s
sure to make some people think of a 90’s era Wesley Snipes. It’s not a deep character but he makes an
impression none the less. The rest of
the supporting cast, nearly all people of color, is made up of character actors
from across the TV spectrum. The only
recognizable white face is Marisa Tomei, who’s clearly slumming it, with the
rest of the Caucasian actors coming from scary white people casting. The Purge franchise has always reminded me of
late 70s early 80s sci-fi horror films, with big ambitious, ideas in a schlocky
package. The First Purge feels like an
amalgam of those films blended with a healthy dose of blacksploitation, yet it
somehow feels timelier than the original film did 4 years ago.
B-
