If, on the other hand, its sleazy kicks youre after, youll be in exploitation heaven.
Because writer-director James DeMonacos third chapter in the thrill-kill vigilante franchise is the best and pulpiestPurgeyet.
If anything, the idea was a lot smarter than the movie that spun off from it.
It was basically a low-stakes siege movie that left most of its best ideas on the table.
Quality-wise, however, the sequel was a lateral move.
InElection Year, DeMonacos reach finally matches his grasp.
Naturally, the powers that be (i.e.
Grillos Leo Barnes (thankfully) returns, this time playing her head of security.
(He must have an excellent DVD library at home.)
Still,Election Yearmanages to put a lot of ideas and images on screen that are totally its own.
Especially, its hallucinogenic, Halloween for adults vision of Purge Nights murder and mayhem.
The films violence (and theres a ton of it, so consider yourself warned) is stunningly art-directed.
Its like watching Miley Cyrus skipping through Dantes Inferno.
Actually, its impossible to read the film any other way.
But DeMonacos campaign-season partisan allegory doesnt do the filmor its message any favors.
As political satire, its cheap, obvious, and lazy.
But as a rousingly tense, Carpenter-esque thriller,Election Yearis surprisingly effective.
Too bad, because three films in, thePurgesaga has finally hit its sick, sadistic stride.B
