Waste of a great plot

Rating: 5/10 (16 October 2013)

The premise and idea of this story is excellent if not flawed, but a very interesting idea none the less. It starts with a family who seemingly support the idea of an annual 'purge' where people can cleanse their inner demons and take part in any act of violence, including murder, and not get punished. The idea is terrifying, because it does raise the question 'would this work in our society?'. The answer of course is no, because of the financial implications and morality, but still raises that question.
The family in question are wealthy, and not particularly likable so the audience don't really have a chance to sympathise with them when things go wrong. Once the barriers are up, that's where the tension is supposed to start. It doesn't really get off the ground. The kid lets a stranger in to try saving him, and suddenly the family are under attack from some bloke who wouldn't look out of place in a boyband. Yes the masks are a bit freaky, and the actions of those around the villain are a bit creepy, but in all honesty, this is not a scary or tense film. It ends up being a home invasion film, and completely forgets its own plot, (a fairly original and interesting plot) and then wastes its potential.
There are twists, about 20 minutes in, then again at the end of the film, and both of which are easy to figure out.
The villain is cheesy, clichéd and in no way menacing. The end of the film is rushed, and so much more could have been made of this.
Glad i didn't go to the cinema to watch this, because I would have been disappointed, but it gets a 5 for the idea, the masks and the fact that it does beg the question 'would an annual purge, reduce the crime rate for the rest of the year?'. My opinion is no, but I'm sure some may disagree.