Review of The First Purge (2018) by Kevin D — 04 Jul 2018

The First Purge: An Elephant On the Table.

Cinematography: 5.932/10 It's simple though not compelling. The acting and story are the films strong points. .

Costume Design: 6.821/10 There's no way to avoid the significance of the outfits parading the streets. There's a balance between the Carnivalesque and die-hard Purgers. Yet, what I find more important than the actual costume designs is from where these outfits arrive from and for which purpose each serves. .

Film Editing: 6.312/10 Decent. The scenes are set up for its punches; the moments that draw the audience more into the story are set well and make for a more interesting project. Still?-?not every scene looks pretty and flows well though the acting and story helps elevate the film substantially. .

Make-up and Hair-styling: 4.901/10 Some of the people in the actual fights look to be in better condition than the bystanders. .

Sound Editing: 7.321/10 The beats with lyrical assistance are set well and engages the audience. Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be much else going on.

Visual Effects: 4.121/10 Seemingly forgotten. A snarky stab at technology. .

Story: 8.297/10 The First Purge is mainly compelling due to it's strategically set story, acting?-?and its punches (check Film Editing). The story presses against drugs and violence within impoverished communities by imbibing them within its core developments. Yet?-?the story greatly emphasizes seemingly debilitating circumstances are not of the low-income communities themselves but processes of the government which the government has to fix in tandem with communities suffering the effects of government processes the most. I think the actual story has a lot of strong points (more in Personal). .

Acting: 7.972/10 The acting elevates and fits the film. Dolores, Mugga, is hilarious: her role is set just right for the film. She's the only character that makes sense looking unscathed throughout the film. The sincerity of the acting is present which gives the film a necessary boost. .

Personal: I feel as though the film attempts to reveal covert organizations within America that affect communities of diverse demographics as well as low-income communities. The lack of specificity concerning organizations throughout the film leaves one to speculate them as mercenaries or members wearing attire blatantly representing particular groups in America. Beyond the film reminding me of The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Institutions: Fraternal organizations by Alvin J. Schmidt, The First Purge sets a firm stance against illegal activities within communities. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates comes to mind as I watch Joivan Wade interacting with Freddy, Steve Harris, in the film concerning other opportunities available in their neighborhood besides slinging dope. The idea that communities have to help themselves as much as possible even without government assistance is ever present throughout The First Purge though The First Purge emphasizes that government assistance should not damper community growth for monetary gain. The First Purge focuses on sensible matters in a comical way which always finds disruption due to matters plaguing a community capable of existing happily though is unable to due to particularly draining aspects of society like addictions, overdraft fees, corrupt government practices, illicit activities, etc. A very strong subtle point is that illicit activities are already happening (as though certain individuals or organizations live like Purgers everyday though plainly or under the pretense of out-of-sight-out-of-mind) and (these certain individuals or?-?) organizations are manipulating media outlets as well as societal behaviors through financial maneuvers to promote their agendas. One might assess The First Purge as overly packed or appropriately scanning: I think it has a lot for one to bring to the table to dissect (though leaves one with a lot of ground work to cover due to the lack of specificity in the film concerning specific types of situations available?-? like the scene of brutality in a baseball field?-?the imagery is all one has to procure from).

Overall: 6.459/10.

-K.D.

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