Amazing idea, horrendous film.

Rating: 3/10 (13 October 2013)

I've never felt compelled to write a review about a film. That was until I watched The Purge last night and came close to scooping my own eyes out and kicking my brain into the wall.
The concept, a 12 hour window whereby anyone can commit crime without punishment, is brilliant - one I was excited to see them work with. I wanted this film to be good, I really did, but it's just awful.
The main characters are so bland and mind-blowingly stupid that I found myself actually wanting them to get killed off. They make decisions that are infuriatingly pointless, and react to situations unrealistically. I genuinely sat there hating the main family, because they just annoyed me.
The acting is actually okay, hence the 3 stars and not 1. Some parts I thought were slightly 'under-acted' - i.e, they should have reacted with more emotion, but just looked like they weren't that bothered. I won't say anymore to keep it spoiler free.
If I urge you to give one film a miss, it is this. It's NOT as good as you think it'll be. The idea is amazing, I know, but the film is a train-wreck. Save yourself the pain of sitting at the end wishing that you had died halfway through, or remembering that you'll never get those 90 horrible minutes back. I held out in case it got better, but no. No. It really doesn't.