The Forever Purge
review by Bobby Blakey
In 2013 The Purge was unleashed in cinemas offering a new journey into violence and freedom in a unique way. The film spawned a franchise that has since delivered 3 sequels/prequels and a two season TV series. Now the Purge is back for what is being said one final time with The Forever Purge starring Ana de la Reguera, Tenoch Huerta, Josh Lucas, Cassidy Freeman, Leven Rambin, Alejandro Edda and Will Patton. Could this latest Purge keep the killing streak alive or should it have stayed across the border?
The Forever Purge follows members of an underground movement who no longer satisfied with one annual night of anarchy and murder, decide to overtake America through an unending campaign of mayhem and massacre. Adela and her husband Juan live in Texas, where Juan is working as a ranch hand for the wealthy Tucker family. Juan impresses the Tucker patriarch, Caleb, but that fuels the jealous anger of Caleb’s son, Dylan. On the morning after The Purge, a masked gang of killers attacks the Tucker family—including Dylan’s wife, and his sister, forcing both families to band together and fight back as the country spirals into chaos and the United States begins to disintegrate around them.
We are big fans of the Purge franchise in our house so it goes without saying that we were excited for this latest chapter. Add to the fact we are in Texas and we are directly connected to what is going down this time around and it is all kinds of crazy and sadly way to relevant to today’s climate. Every Purge film has had some hint of message in regards to race, social class and government control and this latest one is no different. It might be the strongest to date that also doesn’t really push it down your throat, but there are likely to be some that disagree. Of course these are no doubt the same people that are likely on the problem side of the issue.
First and foremost fans of the series are wanting the kills, crazy costumes and chaos. That is all here, but not in the usual way since the majority of the film’s violence is taking place after the Purge ends. There is a bit of a lag initially as it is setting things up that could have been trimmed down a bit along with some of the actual Purge night parts of it since that isn’t really what the new entry is focused on. This isn’t a bad thing as it does still move at a decent pace, but might get some antsy to get to more violence and the meat of it all.
Part of what I loved most about this time around is that for the first time in the film series most of it is in the daylight so you can see way more of the fun chaos than ever before. The twist with the immigration aspect infused with survival was clever and pretty ironically funny given the world today. This chapter also takes it to the level of where it would no doubt go with the given politics and anger in the world today and those ready to use the Purge to change it to their liking.
This might be my favorite entry outside of the original film in the franchise. I was sad to hear that this was being planned as the final entry in the franchise, but more recently creator James DeMonaco has stated that he came up with a new idea should the fans want it. I am all for more Purge films, but if it’s not to be this one is a good cap to where not only this chaotic franchise has built towards, but also a look at where they US could be heading should we not open our eyes and arms to humanity.
In addition to the film this release offers up bonus content including alternate storyboard opening, deleted scene, trailer and featurettes behind bringing this latest chapter to life. Join the Purge and grab your copy of The Forever Purge available now on digital and then on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD on September 28th from Universal Home Entertainment.
