THE PURGE was easily the worst movie I watched in 2013; I should put that opinion on the table right away. It abused exposition in all the wrong places and left the viewer with many unanswered questions and plot holes to be frustrated over (how did they survive past purges?). So it will be just over a year later when its sequel THE PURGE: ANARCHY is released and I will be the first to admit, it doesn’t look horrible. The sequel looks a lot more ambitious and takes us to the streets this time around for less home invasion and more grit.
Here's the official synopsis for THE PURGE: ANARCHY:
The Purge is a night where all crime is legal and all hospitals, fire stations and police stations in the United States are closed down for 12 hours. A couple, Shane and Liz (Zach Gilford and Kiele Sanchez), are driving home to their kids when their car runs out of gas just as the Purge commences, and they flee from masked attackers on motorcycles and minibikes. Meanwhile, Leo (Frank Grillo) goes out into the streets to get revenge on the man (Brandon Keener) who killed his son, and a mother and daughter, Eva and Cali (Carmen Ejogo and Zoe Soul), run from their home after assailants destroy it. The five people meet up as they attempt to survive the night in Los Angeles.
I had a lot of hope for this franchise, and I suspect this is the last chance I will give it. It’s such a great concept it would be shame for it to disappoint again. The trailer hinted at some plot details, like why Frank Grillo's character is going out there trying to be The Punisher. Having your son killed is more than enough reason I think to be behind this vigilante. Will it pay to be a hero? They have my attention, that's for sure.
Did anyone else think of Trinket from THE HUNGER GAMES when the batshit old lady started the bidding war?
The film stars Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez, and Michael K. Williams. THE PURGE: ANARCHY opens in theaters on July 18th 2014.