(Photo Credit: Universal Pictures)
Cool But Predictable
1/2
Art should imitate life. But good art takes life and embellishes it a bit to create an interesting story.
In this presidential election season, America is grappling with a future insurmountable deficit because of overspending on “entitlement programs.”
The likely answer to America’s future fiscal problems is a huge increase in taxes.
However, in “The Purge: Election Year” the result is to kill the “little people” draining the country financially via welfare and healthcare.
“The Purge: Election Year” is a cool and enjoyable film, but extremely predictable.
Nevertheless, the film is Mykelti Williamson’s best performance since “Forrest Gump” and “Waiting to Exhale.”
In the movie, Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell) is shaking up the political establishment with her bid for the presidency.
She vows to permanently end the purge, which for 12 hours allows United States citizens to commit any crime, including murder, legally without any repercussions.
Her platform has endeared her to the common man, but has made her public enemy number one in the eyes of the NFFA political party, which wants to keep the status quo.
To thwart her campaign efforts, her presidential opponent lifts the ban on purging political leaders making Charlie vulnerable to the annual carnage.
Instead of going to a safe zone, Charlie wants to stay at her home close to her voters so she does not appear to be an out-of-touch and insincere talking head.
Her safety is entrusted to Sergeant (Frank Grillo) and the rest of her Secret Service security detail.
However, when Sergeant discovers a traitor in the ranks, he must get Charlie out of danger in order to preserve her candidacy and potentially end the purge forever.
Meanwhile, Joe (Williamson) vows to not separate himself from his community on purge night either.
He has a local deli, which has been a neighborhood institution for years, but has recently lost his purge insurance coverage.
Furthermore, when neighborhood shoplifters threaten his establishment he feels he has no choice but to stay at the store and protect his investment.
Everyone will not survive “The Purge: Election Year.” But the real question is whether the purge itself will survive beyond election year?
Williamson is absolutely terrific in “The Purge: Election Year.”
All of his previous roles have been stellar too, from “Ali” to “ATL.”
However, he is often overlooked when it comes to recognizing true talented actors in Hollywood.
His current role is more Don King in “Ali” than Bubba in “Forrest Gump.”
When a gang approaches Joe and his friends, he states that a bunch of Negroes are approaching and that they are just sitting there like a bucket of chicken.
Mitchell and Grillo do a good job as well.
However, there is still some bad acting from the shoplifters.
Furthermore, the story is predictable from the start.
Moviegoers will know from jump street that Charlie will be betrayed by someone and her life will be in danger because of her politics.
“The Purge: Election Year,” though, is very watchable and enjoyable despite the predictability.
It is not as good as “The Purge: Anarchy,” but still pretty cool thanks to the talents of Williamson.
REGAL RATINGS
FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT
THREE CROWNS=GOOD
TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE
ONE CROWN=POOR
