Without a doubt, the stupidest plot concept of 2014

Rating: 5/10 (31 August 2014)

This isn't a horrible film. It's competently shot, somewhat competently (if distractedly) acted, and the sound is good, in that the dialog actually syncs most of the time with the actors' lips.
But the problem I had seeing it, which started during the first explanatory minutes and again every seven or eight minutes thereafter, is the nagging voice in my head asking, now WHY did they decide to have this Purge night again? Did responsible political leaders actually decide this was a good idea and did the media and majority of citizens actually go along?
"Hey honey, see this? They're going to make rape and murder legal for one night of the year and on that night the police won't come if you call them".
"That's nice, dear. Be sure to pick up a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs on the way home tonight".
Honestly, I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when this was pitched to studio execs. Ethan Hawke tries to enjoy himself a bit, but by the end, you get the overall impression that he's got a similar voice in his head asking what went wrong with his career that he has to do this nonsense. He made a couple of decent movies, right? Usually, you get a halfway decent concept and poor execution. This is the worst plot concept of at least this year (which is only 2/3 done!), but it's not horrible if you're able to sufficiently numb the part of your brain that handles logic and reason you may find yourself suitably stimulated by the movement and color and sound, like a baby with one of those hanging musical mobile toys. I mean, this plot is so bad, they couldn't even convince a rapper to play some small part like in most current movies. You know when 50-Cent thinks the plot is too implausible to make some easy money, you've got a stinker on your hands.
Go see it when it comes for less than $5 at the revival houses or stream it from your favorite service. If you lay out $50 for two full-price tickets and a large soda pop, don't come crying to me. I tried to warn you.