Trailerblazing -- The Purge: Anarchy

The Purge: Anarchy -- June 20, 2014 -- directed by James DeMonaco -- starring Frank Grillo, Michael K. Williams, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez, Carmen Ejogo

Best case scenario, this movie is a straight-to-video affair; worst case scenario, it is even more violent and meaningless than the first one. With a budget of $3,000,000, 2013's The Purge managed to earn more than ten times that amount in the premiere weekend alone, so why mess with a "good" thing? Mayhem rules the streets yet again, masked criminals chase after those unfortunate enough to get caught up in the annual "tradition" and all of the members of the talented cast are probably wondering just what on Earth they are doing in this money-grabbing excuse for cinema. The first film at least had an original premise with tons of satirical commentary potential at its core, potential that unfortunately got squandered in the screenplay's lack of direction. What exactly does the sequel have that warrants our precious attention and hard-earned cash? Nothing I can see. It looks bleak, it looks bloody and, above all, it looks empty. In an alternate reality, The Purge is a British drama/thriller hybrid, written and directed by Charlie Brooker. Now that would be a cautionary tale worth experiencing.