For the record I'm not going to begin this review by defending my score with something like: it's not intended to be clever, well written, e.t.c. I don't believe it's ok to give horror films, like this, a free pass, because they're geared towards a mainstream audience who don't want to indulge in to much social commentary, and would rather mindlessly watch a multitude of characters die gruesome deaths.
With that out of the way... I was pleasantly surprised by The First Purge, to me it felt as if they'd learnt their lesson from their last two installments and decided to go back to basics, a concentrated event that isn't over bloated by showing the audience multiple different Purge scenarios. Therefore, I found it much more entertaining, because it felt like this one had direction, a real message, rather than being a sizzle-reel of murders with plot tied in just to explain how the characters got from one place to another. As always the action was entertaining and creative, so for the most part there isn't really anything to complain about there and where former complaints lied, from the other movies, like choice of music, or stylistic choices were also surprisingly great.
I do have a few complaints: The pacing of this installment is slower than the others, largely because there's the set up of how the Purge began, but it's noticeable enough to be enjoying. I also found the dialogue very unrealistic and it made me cringe many times throughout the film; it's very noticeable that the 'hood' (black) dialogue was written by someone who has no experience with the way black people in tower block communities, and unsurprisingly it was written by someone who isn't black them self. Occasionally, a few characters felt generic, with their goals and background/personality, but it was something that didn't take me out of the experience, so it weren't detrimental, but it was still noticeable. Overall, my complaints this time round felt quite minor and in know severely impacted my experience of the film.
It was a riot of a time from start to end, and that's why I've given The First Purge a 7/10.
Side Note: My opinions of the movie may be exasperated, due to my expectations going in, and my taste in general. However, one things for sure if you like senseless violence, and well choreographed action, I can guarantee you'll at least be satisfied by the price of admission.
With that out of the way... I was pleasantly surprised by The First Purge, to me it felt as if they'd learnt their lesson from their last two installments and decided to go back to basics, a concentrated event that isn't over bloated by showing the audience multiple different Purge scenarios. Therefore, I found it much more entertaining, because it felt like this one had direction, a real message, rather than being a sizzle-reel of murders with plot tied in just to explain how the characters got from one place to another. As always the action was entertaining and creative, so for the most part there isn't really anything to complain about there and where former complaints lied, from the other movies, like choice of music, or stylistic choices were also surprisingly great.
I do have a few complaints: The pacing of this installment is slower than the others, largely because there's the set up of how the Purge began, but it's noticeable enough to be enjoying. I also found the dialogue very unrealistic and it made me cringe many times throughout the film; it's very noticeable that the 'hood' (black) dialogue was written by someone who has no experience with the way black people in tower block communities, and unsurprisingly it was written by someone who isn't black them self. Occasionally, a few characters felt generic, with their goals and background/personality, but it was something that didn't take me out of the experience, so it weren't detrimental, but it was still noticeable. Overall, my complaints this time round felt quite minor and in know severely impacted my experience of the film.
It was a riot of a time from start to end, and that's why I've given The First Purge a 7/10.
Side Note: My opinions of the movie may be exasperated, due to my expectations going in, and my taste in general. However, one things for sure if you like senseless violence, and well choreographed action, I can guarantee you'll at least be satisfied by the price of admission.