#REVIEW: “THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

It seems as though the Movie industry only produce Remakes and Sequels these days. And majority of the time audiences are left disappointed by them. But for fans of the previous Purge Films, they will leave the cinema with satisfaction after watching The Purge: Election Year.

The third instalment of the Franchise has the same premise as it predecessors. For one night out of the year in America all crime, including murder, is legal. The difference between Election Year and the previous Purge Films is that this one takes place a few months before the election for a new President. Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell) who is running for President, and who is leading in the polls, wants to put an end to Purge Night. In order to stop the Senator from winning, the National Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) puts an end to government officials being safe on Purge Night. Thus, making the Senator main prey.

The best moments are the ones when there is only the Senator and her security guard, also returning character Joe Barnes (Frank Grillo), on a street or in an alley and it’s completely silent. The suspense built up behind their eyes and their shallow breathing creates enormous tension. That tension is only magnified through the direction by James DeMonaco, who had directed and written all Purge Films. Each scene is blended perfectly into the next and the action is non-stop, resulting in the audience being thoroughly invested for the Film’s entire duration.

Yet, Election Year does get silly at times. Especially when a group a teenage girls show up, in childish costumes, wanting to kill a store owner over a candy bar. But silly and outrageous acting and writing is expected in a Film where all crime is legal for a night. The more humorous scenes in Election Year are actually welcomed because they come after a horrific act of violence is shown. Thus, the audience is given a break to sit back and have a laugh before having to tense up over the next impending murder.

Overall, The Purge: Election Year is a thrill for fans of Action, Thriller or Horror films. It has all the makings of the previous two Purge Films and pushes the envelope even more. There are times you will laugh and time you will cover your eyes.

Universal Pictures Canada release THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR on Friday, July 1, 2016.