It’s time to go back to the beginning and see just how the yearly ritual got started in the Universal Film that is becoming a anthem for its Halloween Horror Nights.
The First Purge stars nearly a predominant African American cast as it shows typical stereotypes for the race as well as anger that the government seeks to control through its purging ritual. Using relative unknown actors is a challenge but for the film sake of it, it showcases the fact that anyone can “purge” so to speak and it doesn’t take big name actors to drive people to see this film. That aside, let’s talk about a few break out stars including Rotimi Paul who played Skelter, the individual who all throughout the story followed as one understands the anger and frustration that he feels as the President first announces the experiment. Over all Paul has a way of using his nonverbal acting skills to portray his feelings emotionally leading up to the “12 hour purging” and although I’m not a huge fan of killing for the sake of killing, I must say his acting captivated my attention and made me want to watch to see just how he was going to retaliate.
The other break out star was the subtle romance of Isaiah (Joivan Wade) with his girlfriend Nya (Lex Scott Davis) which ultimately helped drive the need for survival as everyone else is trying to just kill mercilessly. The dynamic of the characters made the audience grab on to someone for fear that the next moment would be their last as the couple tried desperately to get to the safe haven of the church. In the end, only time would tell if they made it or not.
Overall, at an hour 38 minute run time and with a “R” rating, The First Purge is not a movie for all but for those select few who have a urge to see a good old fashioned blood bath, then perhaps, this is the movie for you. It allows everyone to “witness the birth of an American Tradition” and fully understand just where the annual “purging” came from.
The First Purge came out in theaters July 4 and is currently playing in a theater near you. See it and get ready for the “purging” happening at Universal Studios this year.