Spoiler-Free Review of
The Purge: Anarchy (2014), 18 July
103 min – Action | Horror | Thriller
Starring: Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez
Director: James DeMonaco
Geek Facts:
Principal photography went underway the same time they released their first promo art on January 1st, 2014.
If Sergeant looks familiar, actor Frank Grillo was last seen playing Brock Rumlow in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Back to the Spoiler-Free Review:
The year is 2023, hours before the annual Purge, an event created by The New Founding Fathers, where one night a year, all crime (including murder) is legal for 12 hours. Waitress Eva Sanchez (Carmen Ejogo) rushes home to care for her daughter Cali (Zoë Soul) and her terminally ill father Papa Rico (John Beasley). Liz (Kiele Sanchez) and Shane (Zach Gilford), play a couple whose car breaks down as they race to his sister’s house to wait out the purge. A police sergeant gears to up hit the streets, looking to get revenge against the man who killed his son the year prior. No one is safe…
I’ll be the first to say, I was not a fan of the first film; with all the potential the film had, I found it to be implemented rather sloppily. However, I feel Writer/Director James DeMonaco’s execution of The Purge: Anarchy was a solid improvement. Each cast member gets their moment to stand out. Real-life married couple Gilford and Sanchez are actually quite good together, their arc is played out well. Carmen Ejogo and Zoë bring a nice balance to the cast. But it is Frank Grillo that shines the brightest in this film. Don’t be surprised if he becomes one of the next top action stars. There’s enough here that immerses you with the plight of each character. The social and political commentary is very evident, but I didn’t get too swept up into it. It reminded me a lot of some of the classic 80’s action flicks. The Purge: Anarchy has a lot of intense suspense and thrills to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Purge: Anarchy – Theatrical Trailer
