Politics of the 'Purge'

"Listen to me very carefully, my friend: killing Shaw will not bring you peace." — Professor Charles Xavier, "X-Men: First Class"

"Peace was never an option." — Eric Lensherr, "X-Men: First Class"

The newest horror movie franchise is "The Purge." The first film debut last summer, and it yielded not only a fascinating premise but seemingly endless possibilities. You see, it's a horror movie that doesn't need a big bad — like a Freddy Kruger or Jason Voorhies — because it recognizes the ugliest, and most dangerous thing in the world is mankind in general.

The film was based on a simple premise: In the future, to save America, the "New Founding Fathers" created The Purge, a night were all crime, including murder, is legal for 12 hours. The result is a more economically sound country, and a country with a much lower crime rate. That all sounds great, but it comes with a cost.

The first film really sought to explore the ways which the Purge impacted the upper class. The answer being it brought out the ugly side in them, just as it did for others. The first film was set in an idyllic suburban neighborhood where they all pretended to be above the need to "Purge," while secretly harboring envy and jealousy that reared its ugly head in the film. That film also, to some extent, began to look at a larger social issue.

But that's where the follow-up, "The Purge: Anarchy" really takes shape. Its focus is more on the poor, the government, and the ugly truth behind the Purge. It is as much a social and political commentary as it is a horror movie, which is what gives this franchise legs and makes it more interesting than most of the rote horror franchises in the market right now. And based on its success at the Box Office, I expect to see future installments in the coming summers.

But for now, here's a few bigger-picture take-aways from this second "Purge" outing.

First, these films sort of seem to be a commentary on violence, and the way we perceive violence in our "civilized" society. The hero of the film is the father, whose son was killed while his privileged killer got off on a technicality, that seeks to use Purge night to right a wrong. This seems to be the quintessential American notion of justice — revenge. It's been a common thread on TV and movies. It seems so easy, and is upheld as just. But does it do any good? Does it really bring people peace and closure?

The makers of "The Purge" would argue it doesn't. They would argue that no good comes of killing — be it from revenge or sport. That seems to be one of the takeaways of the franchise to this point. Sure, there is plenty of violence and killing in the film, but it isn't glorified in the typical way. And, in the end, the hero of the second film — after being convinced by those he sought to protect that killing wouldn't bring him peace — went another way. For a horror movie franchise predicated on violence, it was fascinating to see someone make a different choice — just as Ethan Hawke's character did in the first film.

Second, this franchise seems to have its pulse on the issues that are plaguing America right now. Many have surmised that the next war will be a product of the poor and oppressed rising up against the wealthy. Many argued that was what the Occupy Wall Street movement was, at its heart. And in these elections, debate about income inequality has been fierce.

By metrics discussed widely by politicians and news media outlets, this is a real problem in America right now. The income inequality we have in 2014 rivals what it was in the 1920s, which was followed closely by the Great Depression. That should strike a note of fear and trepidation among America — probably a bigger one that we currently have.

So it's fascinating that "The Purge" series is grounded on government — and the upper class — finding a creative solution. That solution being a night in which crime is legal, including murder, and the likely victims are those who can't afford to protect themselves.

Much of this second film dealt with the political motives behind the policies in this fictional future, and how they sought to eliminate the weakest link in the economic chain. And it also dealt with those who sought to fight the power and strike back against those that sought to purify the nation by eliminating the poor and weak. It's a fascinating and relevant political statement by these movies that help it rise above the typical aims of the genre.

Finally, I continue to believe these films make a commentary on where we're headed as a culture and a society. In terms of entertainment, it seems many of our films and shows are designed to help people live out violence vicariously. That is a dangerous idea and a dangerous trend.

One of the things I think makes "The Hunger Games" so culturally relevant is that it depicts a dark, violent future that I could see happening. Most of us would like to think that, as a society, we wouldn't stoop to those depths, but evidence seems to suggest otherwise.

If you look at the history of mankind and civilizations, you don't have to struggle to find examples of people reveling in violence against other people. The most famous example is the gladiatorial games in Rome, where undesirables were often sacrificed for sport. But that's hardly the only example. We like to think we're more civilized now, but I wonder.

"The Purge" series might shine a light too brightly on societal issues — and tendencies — we'd rather ignore.