The Purge (Mini Review Series)

Initial release date: May 31, 2013

Studios: Universal Pictures/Blumhouse Productions/Platinum Dunes

Tagline: Survive the Night

One night a year, all crime is legal

Plot: In an America ravaged by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government sanctions an annual 12 hour period during which all crime activity - including murder - is legal. James Sandin and his family face the ultimate test when an intruder drags the vicious outside world into their home. James, Mary and their two children struggle to survive the night while trying not to turn into monsters like the ones they’re striving to avoid.

Cast

Ethan Hawke (Tesla) - James Sardin

Lena Headey (Fighting With My Family) - Mary Sardin

Max Burkholder - Charlie Sardin

Adelaide Kane - Zoey Sardin

Edwin Hodge (The Tomorrow War) - Bloody Stranger

Rhys Wakefield (HBOs True Detective) - Polite Leader

Tony Oller - Henry

Arija Bareikis - Mrs. Grace Ferrin

Tom Yi - Mr. Carli

Chris Mulkey (On the Basis of Sex) - Mr. Halverson

Tisha French - Mrs. Halverson

Writer/director: James DeMonaco (creator of The Purge series)

Rated R for strong disturbing violence and some language (85 min)

The concept of ‘The Purge’ is quite different and intriguing. For one night a year for twelve hours, ALL crime is legal.

In this 2013 movie, mainly the entire movie takes place at the home of James Sardin, who has developed a security system that homes can use during the Purge - as long as you can afford it. As soon as his son let’s in a complete stranger who is being chased by people who are purging, that's when the suspense really kicks in.

The suspense in the movie is really tense and there are quite a few moments that can easily startle you. ‘The Purge’ gets even more tense once the people who are after the stranger finally get into the house.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about ‘The Purge’:

• Director James DeMonaco was asked why the film began with footage of multiple purges taking place outdoors - yet he opted to have all the purging occur inside one family’s home. He responded, “we only had 19 days to shoot and $2.7 million to work with.”

• The homicidal ladies in white dresses were based on Charles Manson’s killers/followers.

• DeMonaco got the idea for the story after his wife made a remark about an episode he had with road rage.

• This movie was also turned into an extreme walk through horror maze/experience in LA called ‘The Purge: Fear the Night.”

• The purpose of the masks was for them to resemble Halloween masks, a metaphor for the fact that some people see the Purge as a holiday of celebration.

• The Bloody Stranger (later identified as Dante Bishop in the third movie; played by Edwin Dodge each time) is the only person to appear in the first three movies.

• DeMonaco never thought the story of the boyfriend attempting to kill the father meshed very well with the rest of the story. Originally, it was supposed to be the daughter trying to kill the father. The studio refused to allow it, so the boyfriend was a rewrite.

• In its opening weekend, ‘The Purge’ topped the box office with $16.8 million on opening day and $34.1 million through the entire weekend. Earned $64.5 million domestically and $24.9 million worldwide, with a production budget of $3 million.