thefirstpurge

The First Purge Review

Starring: Y’lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Jovian Wade, Mugga, Patch Darragh, Marisa Tomei, Luna Lauren Velez, Rotimi Paul

Director: Gerard McMurray

Release date: 4th July 2018

 

A new Government is in power in the US called ‘The New Founding Fathers of America’ and President Bracken makes an announcement on TV that there will be a ‘social experiment’ happening on Staten Island, NY in just a few days’ time. It is a Government funded project that will make all crime legal for one 12 hour period. Staten Island is chosen, partly because of its location and partly down to the impoverished people that reside there. They tell people that there will be a cash incentive of $5000 if they stay on the island for the full duration of the experiment, and also that if they participate, they must wear special contact lenses which will allow the government to see first-hand what is happening. Weapons of Class 4 and lower are permitted and all murder is legal. Two days later, the experiment begins… firstly things are very quiet but slowly but surely crime begins to happen. One particular guy has been let out of jail specifically to take part and it’s not long til he makes the first kill of the night…

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This is the fourth ‘Purge movie’ that’s been released, with the first one put out back in 2013, the second in 2014 and the third in 2016. A prequel to the other three movies, ‘The First Purge’ basically sets up the premise for the story and gives a rough back story as to how it all allegedly began.

I will be totally honest and say that I haven’t seen the other three movies… wouldn’t really be my cup of tea at all. I’m not really into the whole ‘graphic violence’ thing and it all just felt a bit unnecessary in the grand scheme of things. This movie looked like it at least had a bit of a plot and so I thought I’d give it a go. Not the worst movie I’ve ever seen and it wasn’t really what I expected. The interspersed news reels and headlines gave the movie a more ‘current’ feeling. At various points I had to tell myself that I wasn’t watching a documentary. It all felt very real; almost like it could be/ could actually happen. With all the different things happening in the States at the moment, you could quite easily feel that you are watching actual footage.

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A real ‘cat and mouse’ story but with people being hunted down and killed, you almost wonder if this could be the shape of things to come in America. It currently feels like anything is possible and people are at a point where they aren’t surprised any more with what’s happening.

If you have a relatively strong stomach and like a lot of gory violence, then this could be one for you. If you don’t mind graphic violence, nudity, and people being killed for no reason, then go see ‘The First Purge’. People that have seen the other three I’d say will ‘enjoy’ this one but it’s not absolutely necessary to have seen the others before you watch this one.

I’m sure that the fact that the 4th July has been chosen for its’ release date is not just a chance happening…

Overall: 7/10

 

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