The Purge: Election Year

The Purge: Election Year is another triumph for what could be a really long-running series. Let's ignore the obvious contrivances and plot holes with the overall idea (and pray for the long rumoured prequel film about the Purge's genesis) it's a freaking brilliant premise for a movie: all crime is legal for one terrifying night a year. It's difficult to argue with that.

Like the brilliant 'Anarchy' before it, we start here with some disparate story arcs and characters who will eventually cross paths as the plot develops. We're two years on and, in a nice echo of the current climate, in the midst of a presidential race. The NFFA are leading in the polls but only just ahead of Senator Charlie Roan; her chief policy being to eliminate the annual event.

As you can probably predict, the NFFA (finally glimpsed and spoken of as real characters but a little one-dimensional and too-obviously evil. We know they're the bad guys but not rounding them off at all brings the smart, political edge down a peg) plan an assassination attempt on their rival and the inevitable brown stuff hits the inevitable fan.

Returning hard man Leo Barnes is Roan's head of security and leads her though the night's events to its brilliant conclusion. Political comment and real life comparisons abound, it's nice to have a horror film you can discuss meaningfully afterwards.

The best thing about seeing these films on the big screen is the scares. Less realised at home having the cinema volume gets you jumping out of your seat. Director James DeMonaco (once again writing and directing, having a consistent director is key to a horror franchise) is intelligent and knows how to keep you on edge. Walking through a darkened underpass? He'll cut early to hold suspense. Strolling through the streets on a sunny day before the Purge? He'll make you leap out of your seat with a well timed 'boo'. It keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout; you know that no one, including your own comfort, is safe.

Having only two characters return is a little bit of a shame but made up by the brilliance of the newbies. Those with the biggest parts to play are shop owner Joe and his loyal employee Marcos. These two have great bonhomie and even a few laugh-out-loud moments which is a nice juxtaposition for a film of this type.

Although the story is well-rounded the trailers and promo' are a little misleading. Much is made of the scary girls in the cars covered in fairy lights (they're posited as this edition's version of the Ghost gang from Anarchy) but they get short shrift, as do the American-Icon masks and outfits which adorn the poster.

However, despite small flaws, DeMonaco delivers once again and The Purge shows no sign of decline. It's rare to see a horror franchise actually stay consistent and, although not quite up to the level of Anarchy, this is a worthy successor. Long may the series continue.

4 stars ****