'The Purge' a theme-driven attack on America?

Rating: 6/10 (8 June 2013)

Films that make political statements aren't anything new, nor are they a revolutionary means of gaining otherwise unlikely attention. Controversy has always been a means for creating revenue, especially in the United States where people tend to flock to scandalous news stories. But, before you come after me for generalizing, hear me out. The Purge, which is the subject of controversy due to comments made by James DeMonaco in relation to The Tea Party and NRA, appear to have stirred quite the commotion for a film that would typically never register on the average movie-goer's radar. But, when roughly one-third of the United States is clearly conservative, attacking their base with a overbearingly apocalyptic film seems like a great way to aggravate that one-third, while still forcing them to go see the film in order to figure out what all the talk is about. When you take that logic into account, mix it with a liberally-charged subject matter and the unremarkably high interest for blood-spillage from teenagers and young adults, you have quite the cocktail for success.
The Purge, directed by James DeMonaco (Staten Island), stars Ethan Hawke as James Sandin, a home security developer that sells security systems to home owners in anticipation of a yearly 12-hour period, called "The Purge." During the 12 hour window, the New Founding Fathers of America (government) allow Americans to "purge" themselves of crime, hate, and murder by legalizing these acts (with certain exceptions). James Sandin and his wife, Mary (Lena Headey), along with their two kids, Zoey (Adelaide Kane) and Henry (Tony Oller), decide to stay in for "the purge," believing in its cause, but not partaking in the events. However, the evening of The Purge takes a turn for the worst when Henry aids a bloody stranger (Edwin Hodge) begging for salvation outside the Sandin's residence. The man's assailants, including the cryptic polite stranger (Rhys Wakefield), demand his release before they "purge" the entire Sandin family, also. Arija Bareikis and Chris Mulkey also star in supporting roles.
It's difficult to watch this film without focusing on the underlying themes that are completely in your face for its entirety. The idiotic rational featured in this film states that America is better off if its citizens are given a 12 hour window to commit atrocities. On the flip side, the government believes that if Americans are given this 12-hour window of "freedom," it alleviates crime and promotes job growth, along with economic prosperity for the remaining 364 days of the year. Still, it's bothersome to think that people can simply go on a 12-hour crime/killing spree, and just go back to their regular lives the following day without any carry over. They say once you've killed the first time, it's likely you'll do it again. However, with that logic in mind, it's difficult to imagine any of these individuals would be able to wait a full year to kill or commit a crime again. This film obviously gives the mind plenty to contemplate and it certainly creates a different way of thinking about the future direction of civilization. Regardless, the film's premise is a complete and utter rip-off of the classic 1967 Star Trek episode, The Return of the Archons, in which an evil dictator rewards his minions with a similar 12-hour window to pillage and plunder an entire planet's civilians.
Themes aside, there's very little about The Purge that separates itself from the array of unlawful entry films, not to mention the classic slasher films featuring Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. The abundance of stupid mistakes and clichés (like characters that still hide under the bed) really hurt this film, especially in the later half after the film turns into more a "so stupid it's funny" horror flick than a spine-tingling thriller. For instance, if the son hadn't invited the random stranger into his house, the whole situation could have been avoided. Of course, that wouldn't make for a very interesting movie – but it always takes something away from the film when the majority of viewers don't believe the situation is visible, especially in the horror genre. Fror there, there's a series of irritating questions, like why are a large group of blood-thirsty individuals hell bent on "purging" spending so much time on won random bum/war veteran. It makes the film feel like a whole lot of wasted time with very little reward.
To be honest, the lack of star-power hasn't been a very big concern for the horror genre. However, The Purge's leading man, Ethan Hawke, is far from an unrecognizable face. Surprisingly, Hawke makes an enjoyable protagonist, but he just lacked the proper antagonist in this film. His nemesis for the film, credited as the "polite stranger" is reminiscent of a watered-down version of Heath Ledger's joker persona. If the joker were 15 years younger and starring in a CW version of Batman, he may have resembled the performance of the relatively unknown Rhys Wakefield. And, to be honest, the kid (Henry) is rather creepy in the film, even though he turns out to be utterly harmless. Tony Oller's portrayal is commendable, and even though he had the look of a future Michael Myers follower, (small spoiler) he turns out to be the voice of reason in the family's darkest hour.
Overall, The Purge is a silly movie filled with a ton of potshots at America. The film is chock-full of liberal bias, but is it anti-American? Well, that's a matter of personal opinion, but the fact that a film like this can be made (even if the director is using his own personal criticism) means the First Amendment is alive and well.