As the previews suggest, “The Purge: Election Year” is easily the most political movie of the series thus far. Unfortunately, more attempted social commentaries do not necessarily make a better film.
For those who are new to the franchise, “The Purge” series, all written and directed by James DeMonaco, is set in a dystopian future in which the American government sets aside one day per year when all crimes will be legal. During these annual Purges, many citizens wreak havoc to get violence and aggression out of their system, while others simply try to survive.
What sets “Election Year” apart from the other films, though, is its staging in Washington, D.C., around a crucial presidential election. Promising to eliminate the Purge, Sen. Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell) is rapidly gaining traction as a candidate. Naturally, the dominant party and creators of the Purge, the New Founding Fathers of America, view her as a threat and hire a team of skinheads to capture her.
Despite extensive preparations, Senator Roan’s defenses are easily dispatched, leaving Roan and her head of security, Leo (Frank Grillo returning from “The Purge: Anarchy”) on the streets with minimal means to protect themselves. Fortunately, they cross paths with Joe (Mykelti Williamson), Marcos (Joseph Julian Soria) and Laney (Betty Gabriel), a few average citizens trying to defend their convenience store and survive the night.
The plot that follows is fairly predictable. Roan’s ragtag crew roam D.C., often being attacked but managing to escape. Violence and gore are steady, with a few jump-scares sprinkled throughout. However, “Election Year” isn’t very frightening, as it’s more of an action thriller than a scary movie.
However, nothing in the film’s action sequences stands out as particularly noteworthy. The choreography and shaky camerawork are pretty standard for any modern action movie.
Likewise, the characters are pretty average. Each has a distinct personality, but none seem to have anything beneath their surface. Roan is a principled idealist; Leo is a single-minded bodyguard. Neither reveal any greater depth.
In fact, the most notable thing about “Election Year” is its attempted political commentaries, which is fairly ambitious. Some of the allegories prove to be successful. The NFFA, the New Founding Fathers of America, bears similarities to the National Rifle Association, and the film constantly suggests that the current governmental system perpetuates cycles of poverty and crime in inner cities. It even subtly suggests how the Purge disproportionately affects minorities. The parallels between “Election Year” and modern America are pretty clear.
But, as these allegories are fleshed out, they become increasingly problematic and silly. An underground organization of Purge resistors plan to stage a coup, just as Roan appears ready to win. Most ridiculously, perhaps, the NFFH treats Purging like a literal religion. The absurd extents to which they illustrate the NFFH’s devotion offers only ludicrous commentaries on the NRA.
While it may sound like “Election Year” takes a strong stance against gun violence, the end product suggests otherwise. Juxtaposing Roan’s moral, idealistic stances against Purge violence with the heavily thumping bass during action sequences makes for contradictory attitudes. One argues that violence perpetuates more violence; the other suggests that violence is a thrilling spectacle. This doesn’t ruin the movie, but it does effectively undermine its message.
Despite some ambitious political commentaries, “Election Year” is just another Purge film. Fans of the past two will enjoy it, but anyone looking for much more could leave disappointed.
**MOVE gives “The Purge: Election Year” 2.5 out of 5 stars.**
