'The First Purge' blasts away with mix of social satire, bloody horror

“The First Purge” - ★ ★

This Fourth of July, viewers had a chance to celebrate America's birth in a very American way - watching internecine warfare, savage violence and a dark government conspiracy. That's right, it's time for a new Purge.

“The First Purge,” the fourth film in the franchise, is an origin story set in modern day New York that allows creator James DeMonaco to do what he does best - mix social satire with heart-pounding horror. It's a worthy addition to the B-movie “Purge” cannon, even as it's depressingly prescient.

For those unfamiliar with the “Purge” series, here's how it works: In a dystopian near-future, the government, led by a nefarious party called the New Founding Fathers of America, allows an annual 12-hour period of lawlessness without recriminations. Over a single night, rape, murder and everything else is permitted as a way to release anger, cull from an overpopulated nation and lower crime.

DeMonaco sets “The First Purge” on Staten Island, where the first beta test was launched. Marisa Tomei plays the data-driven behavioral scientist who has designed the purge for the NRA-backed New Founding Fathers of America.

On the ground, we meet our main players - Y'lan Noel, who makes a hunky and charismatic drug kingpin; Lex Scott Davis, as his old girlfriend who has become a community activist; and Joivan Wade as her brother, torn between the lure of quick drug money and his sister's unwavering morality. Rotimi Paul makes an absolutely frightening psycho and Steve Harris is an always welcome addition.

DeMonaco has handed over directorial duties this time to Gerard McMurray. It is perhaps fitting that McMurray, an African-American, helps tell the story of an inner-city minority community under siege that overwhelmingly stars actors of color. McMurray has a deft touch juggling action sequences, humor and intimate dialogue.

“The First Purge” starts off unevenly, with many Staten Islanders who have stayed (and pocketed $5,000 in the process) choosing to have a boozy block party rather than murder each other. The New Founding Fathers of America soon decide to goose the violence level and the film moves into action hero territory, with Noel turning into a John McClane-like hero, and our makeshift community banding together to fight. The blood flows so much that it splashes the camera itself.

The “Purge” films have never been subtle and “The First Purge” is no different. At one point, the brave Staten Islanders are being systematically hunted by heavily armed white men wearing KKK hoods or Nazi coats and masks that look like blackface and minstrel shows.

DeMonaco's hammy scriptwriting also rears its head, but there's no denying his ability to conceive of a film that seems ripped from the headlines.

<b>Starring:</b> Y'lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade, Marisa Tomei, Rotimi Paul, Steve Harris

<b>Directed by:</b> Gerard McMurray

<b>Other:</b> A Universal Pictures release. Rated R for violence, language, sexual situations and drug use. 99 minutes