Dark, compelling, not for under 18 and then only with caution

Rating: 7/10 (19 June 2013)

First, before I begin, let me state that my favorite types of films are art house beauties, like Pride and Prejudice, A Merry War or Cinderella Man. Yet, when I heard the premise of the Purge, I felt compelled to see it, admiring science fiction and dark subjects like mass propaganda and brainwashing. So, here is my review of The Purge.
In the very near future, the United States government, under its NEW Founding Fathers, has solved, in its mind, problems of unemployment and crime. It has instituted the Purge, a once a year night of "soul cleansing", where any crime is allowed. On each March 21, from 7:00 pm to the following morning at 7:00 am, police forces are nowhere to be found and murder, assault, theft, arson, etc. is the norm. No, government officials can not be targeted and weapons above "level four" are forbidden. Naturally, the rich can afford elaborate security systems on their mansions and endure the purge in their personal fortresses. Everyone else has to fend for themselves. In this way, the population is reduced, riff raff is eliminated, and pent-up rage is released for humanity's "good". Or, that's the government line. Top security systems salesman, James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) has become rich from hawking his company's products on members of his elite community. His mansion is the biggest on the block, with a spanking new addition. Wife Mary (Lena Headey) can stay at home and make healthy, scratch meals which are "carb free" and take care of their two teenagers. Older teen Zoey is bright and pretty but has a boyfriend, Henry, who is already an adult 18 and who James has forbidden her to see. They meet in secret. Younger teen Charlie is also bright but shy and timid. He spends his free time inventing electronic gadgets, like his remote controlled video camera which uses a battered babydoll as its foundation. Now, this year's Purge is to begin. The Sandins go into lockdown after the evening meal, unaware that Henry has hidden himself in the house after visiting Zoey. As each retires to their chosen rooms, with screens showing what is happening outside their immediate area, Charlie sees a man running down the block, screaming for help. The teen makes the decision to momentarily disable the security sys and let the man in. All too soon, this man disappears into an unknown place in the enormous house. What's worse, some rich college age sons and daughters of the Sandin's neighborhood come knocking on the door, too. It seems they, instead of taking shelter in their own homes, went out looking for a victim for their own personal purge. Their choice was the homeless man now confined in the Sandin's home. As their "preppy killer" leader proclaims, the Sandins must return this man or face their own demise, for they have bought equipment to bring down the security of the Sandin's home. Can this really be? Yes, James tells Mary, despite his company's claims, their system is vulnerable to certain breaches. James begins to hunt for the man, knowing they must throw him to the "wolves", their killer neighbors. But, before this happens, Henry appears with plans of this own. Also, the perps begin their assault, which they say is their "right for the night", as they are in need of soul cleansing. How will it all shake down, with most of the neighbors already in resentment of the rich, rich Sandins? If you have ever pondered Shirley Jackson's story of The Lottery or how Hitler, Tojo, and Mussolini were able to use propaganda to convince folks that their plans were for the best, then you have the idea behind the Purge. Nevermind that the actions seem inhuman, unjust, and more, this is the new norm and folks have taken it to heart. This is dark, compelling stuff. All of the actors here do a fine job, including Hawke and Headey, but most of the praise has to go to the premise and its execution. Some critics have dismissed this film as dumb and/or silly but I found it heady stuff. For those who, like me, find the movie's plot description too tantalizing to ignore, then head out to the nearest theater.