Stupid Characters doing Dumb Things

Rating: 3/10 (29 October 2013)

The year is 2022. The crime rate in America is at an all-time low, unemployment is at 1% and violence barely exists. Except for one night a year, when the purge happens. For a 12-hour period people are free to commit as much crime as they feel the need to, including murder. All emergency services become unavailable. No police, no hospitals, no firefighters. Ethan Hawke is an unlikable home security salesmen, James Sandin, and it is he and his family that we spend the annual purge with.
This is an excellent premise gone to complete waste. A family trying to survive a 12-hour period where all crime is legal. The problem is that there is nothing to like about this family. You are made to feel sorry for the young boy until he becomes the reason his family becomes targeted. The masked terrorist outside, threatening the family through the security system, is the only character of interest. Inside the house everyone is doing the opposite thing from what is safe, smart and realistic.
The Purge isn't any more frightening than it's premise. Another annoying experience where unbelievably stupid characters do really dumb things leaving it's audience as indifferent and apathetic as those who take part in the purge.