The Purge

 
photo for The Purge “The Purge” combines the best of several thriller genres all in one fairly tightly directed and acted outing: there’s the near-futuristic “Clockwork Orange” violence-for-violence’s- sake scenario, a home-invasion-by-strangers attack, and a “Straw Dogs’s” fight-back retaliation. In the near future, in order to reduce crime in America, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity — including murder — is legal. Supposedly this quells bad behavior the other 364 days of the year. Ethan Hawke’s family — wife (Lena Headey), daughter and son — hunker down in their secure home in a gated community to wait out the night. But when they allow a homeless man to find safety in their house, a gang of yuppie murderers mount an all-out assault on them — and the family has to learn to defend themselves. It’s all very exciting and edge-of-your seat, with several neat twists and a predictable ending that you wait for since it’s been foreshadowed about 30 minutes into the film. “The Purge” didn’t fare well at the box office or with the critics but it definitely deserves a better chance on DVD — it’s much better than you suspect. Co-stars Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane and Edwin Hodge. Extras: “Surviving the Night: The Making of The Purge.” Vitals: Director: James DeMonaco. Stars: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge. 2013, CC, MPAA rating: R, 85 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $64.423 million, Universal. 2 stars

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