233. The Forever Purge; movie review

 

THE FOREVER PURGE

Cert 15

103 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence, language, racism

Yet another franchise which started well but has had every bit of juice squeezed out of it.

Of The Purge's first incarnation in 2013, I wrote: "I spent almost the entire movie wincing and flinching."

It was based on a fascinating new concept and starred Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey, actors who could persuade an audience that the fear was real.

By its fifth incarnation, it had seeped away.

Indeed, the movie replaces the tension of a family which we could relate to with high bloody body count and thinly veiled points about racism and America's lurch further to the right.

Everardo Gout's film stars Ana de la Reguera and Tenoch Huerta as Mexican immigrants who are working with cowboy ranchers in the deep South.

There is a sniff of racism about the son (Josh Lucas) of the ranch owner (Will Patton) but that is nothing compared to what is about the emerge.

Anyway, they face the annual Purge night with the usual apprehension but survive it without much of a scare.

However, those who are inspired by blood-letting refuse to end the killing when12 hours expires and, as the film title suggests, embark upon The Forever Purge.

In other words, they look to track down anyone who isn't what they see as pureblood with an eye to eliminating them.

My memory isn't the best but I don't recall the original concept for The Purge to be racially motivated nor had I taken in that its participants were rednecks.

The franchise has now become much more political which wouldn't necessarily be a bad move if its latest film were not so badly executed.

To put it bluntly, it is lowest common denominator stuff with stereotypes in every scene and bland dialogue.

In other words, it has the hallmarks of a franchise which has been stretched beyond credibility.

Let's hope it is over... forever.

 

Reasons to watch: If you are an unquestioning fan of The Purge

Reasons to avoid: Taking a reasonable idea way too far

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know?  The Purge franchise has grossed overall over $450 million at the box office against a combined production budget of $53 million.

The final word. James DeMonaco: "The idea that it's just out of control, you can't contain this violence, anymore. That's what got me psyched, and coupling that with this love story, and this idea of searching for the American dream all came together."

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