The First Purge

In 2018, the American science fiction horror film, The First Purge, was released. The film featured Y'lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, and Joivan Wade in the lead roles, with Gerard McMurray serving as the director and James DeMonaco as the writer.

The movie is set in 2014 and explores the origins of the Purge, a night of lawlessness where all crime, including murder, is legal for 12 hours. In this prequel, the U.S government initiates an experiment named the Purge in Staten Island, New York, to create a controlled environment for social and economic rebirth. The idea behind the Purge is that people will vent their pent-up frustration and anger during this one night, reducing crime and violence for the remaining 364 days of the year.

The government offers monetary incentives to those who stay in the island during the Purge, and to those who actively participate, adding to the guilt factor of those who partake in the Purge. The majority of the population is skeptical of the Purge, expecting the worst to happen, and planning to leave the island before the Purge commences.

The story follows a central character, an African-American drug lord named Dmitri, played by Y'lan Noel, who decides to remain on Staten Island and protect his community. Dmitri and his friends are skeptical of the experiment's motives and the government's intent, and as a result, they decide to protect their own from the Purge's negative consequences.

Lex Scott Davis played the character of Nya, a young woman who is concerned about her brother Isaiah's safety played by Joel Wade, who is separated from the group and stuck on Staten Island during the Purge. Nya and Isaiah's story takes center stage as they navigate the dangerous streets of Staten Island, trying to evade the Purge's violent activities.

The First Purge portrays Staten Island as a divided community with contrasting perspectives on the Purge. Those who have agreed to participate in the experiment, referred to as the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA), plant chaos by killing oppressed minorities and fabricating news to manipulate the national media.

As the film progresses, the NFFA's true intentions are revealed, and the Purge transforms into a night of injustice where the weak and oppressed are hunted as targets. The government's twisted motive of conducting this experiment highlights the issue of racial inequality and prejudice, with minorities being the prime target of the Purge.

The movie's direction is outstanding, with Gerard McMurray placing social commentary at the forefront of the storyline. The cinematography is exceptional, vividly capturing the night of terror on Staten Island, with the use of slow-motion, bright neon colors, and gloomy shadows. The suspenseful sound design matches the tone of the movie's underlying tension, amplifying the horror factor effectively.

One of the film's strength is the performances of the cast, each of whom has portrayed their characters with great prowess. Y'lan Noel's riveting portrayal of Dmitri adds a layer of emotional depth to the storyline, while Lex Scott Davis plays Nya with conviction and strength, making for a character worthy of appreciation.

In conclusion, The First Purge effectively combines social commentary, horror, and action elements, making for an engaging watch. The prequel, when viewed in tandem with the rest of the franchise movies, gives the audience a more comprehensive understanding of the Purge's origins, its social implications, and ultimately, the nefarious intentions of its manipulative founders. The film balances its intense and violent action scenes with characters that are well-written, making the emotional stakes high throughout, making The First Purge worth the watch.