The Purge: Election Year Blu-ray Review

The 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 encoded Blu-ray of "The Purge: Election Year" maintains a faithful 2.40:1 aspect ratio, offering a dynamically detailed presentation. The digital source material translates effectively to the screen, delivering a clean and smooth image with commendable sharpness. Facial features, clothing textures, and close-ups showcase fine clarity, with colors appearing attractively neutral and well-saturated. Specific highlights include the vividly rendered odds and ends in Joe's store and the vibrant splashes of red blood against the night. Additionally, the blend of dark blues, deep blacks, and various shades of brown and orange is striking, particularly in low-light settings such as the fire-lit streets of DC and the flood-lit underground hideouts.

While there are occasional issues with black levels veering towards crush or appearing too pale, the overall contrast is impressive. Details are so finely presented that special effects like gunshots and blood splatter reveal their CGI origins, lending a somewhat antiseptic and clean look to darker scenes where added grain might have enhanced the horror atmosphere. The disturbing masks, however, benefit from this clarity, making them all the more memorable. Though there are minor inconsistencies in contrast and some scenes suffer from softer focus, the Blu-ray generally upholds high standards with no severe issues like banding or aliasing worth mentioning.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray transfer ensures a solid viewing experience for "The Purge: Election Year," with its detailed presentation, effective use of color, and sharp image quality contributing significantly to the immersive horror experience. The crispness of finer elements, alongside a faithful depiction of the film's visual intent, solidifies its excellence in delivering a top-tier home viewing presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "The Purge: Election Year" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that delivers a solid yet unremarkable auditory experience. The soundtrack is anchored by sharp, edgy notes and robust low-end power that satisfyingly tear through the mix with immersive placement. Gunfire is aggressively portrayed, cracking and spitting from all corners, though some shots could benefit from additional raw power. Directional sound effects such as swooping helicopters, rumbling trucks, and machinery are distinct and precise, and minor atmospheric elements occasionally weave through the stage, adding to the immersive feel.

Dialogue is particularly well-managed, with clear and intelligible center placement. The public address warning announcing Purge Night echoes effectively across the soundstage, enhancing the narrative's tension. While there are neat panning effects, such as a disoriented woman singing "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," the surround sound design isn't as imaginative or dynamic as one might expect from a film built on paranoia and fear of one's surroundings. Rear channel activity remains restrained, and dynamics are modest outside of a few jump scares. Low-frequency effects are reserved, contributing to an overall sense of unease but leaving room for more impactful auditory modulation.

Overall, the music by Nathan Whitehead is seamlessly woven throughout the soundstage, supporting the movie's intense atmosphere. Despite its precision and professionalism, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix may leave some viewers desiring more expansive use of the soundfield to fully exploit the horror elements inherent in the film's premise.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Purge: Election Year" are succinct yet engaging, enhancing the film's narrative through deleted scenes and insightful featurettes. The disc includes a DVD copy and a digital HD code, packaged in high-definition 1080p with Dolby Digital stereo. The deleted scenes, though not crucial to the story, provide additional context and dialogue, enriching character interactions and background settings. Two standout featurettes, "Inside The Purge" offers a behind-the-scenes look at the film's creation, discussing themes, violence, and real-world reflections with cast and crew insights. Meanwhile, the "Character Spotlight: Leo" provides a detailed examination of Frank Grillo’s character arc, delving into his development and action sequences with captivating enthusiasm from the actor and director.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Additional dialogues and context.
• Inside The Purge: Behind-the-scenes insights with cast and crew.
• Character Spotlight: Leo: Analysis of Frank Grillo’s character and stunts.

"The Purge: Election Year" continues the series by elevating its social commentary, making it more than just a violent thriller. The storyline follows Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell), whose presidential campaign aims to abolish The Purge, an annual event where all crime is legal for twelve hours. The New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) view her as a threat and seek her elimination during Purge Night. Frank Grillo reprises his role as Leo Barnes, Roan’s security chief, who must protect her amidst the chaos. The film delves into themes of morality, societal decay, and political corruption, presenting a scenario that feels disturbingly plausible.

Director James DeMonaco, who has helmed all three films, crafts a narrative rich in political allegory, although not without its flaws. The movie’s core story is straightforward: a resistance against the oppressive regime. However, it struggles with slow pacing and predictability, often resorting to clichéd scare tactics and heavy-handed political jabs. The villains are caricatured neo-Nazis and corrupt officials, making the film's moral landscape starkly black and white. Despite these narrative shortcomings, the film’s exploration of contemporary issues such as racial tension, economic disparity, and government overreach provides depth beyond its gruesome violence.

Performances are competent but not exceptional. Elizabeth Mitchell and Frank Grillo deliver solid portrayals, while Mykelti Williamson stands out as a small business owner defending his property. The film introduces various subplots, including urban resistance groups and extremist attacks, which add layers but sometimes feel disjointed. The action sequences are serviceable but lack innovation, occasionally veering into the absurd. Overall, "The Purge: Election Year" is an intriguing blend of action and social commentary, offering a reflection on modern societal fears while maintaining the franchise’s signature thrill.

"The Purge: Election Year" on Blu-ray offers a satisfying viewing experience with its fine audio and video presentation. Directed by James DeMonaco, the film takes the franchise in a logical and thought-provoking direction, balancing thematic relevance with a fair amount of action. It is evident that the movie attempts to engage the audience with its underlying commentary on society and politics, which should resonate with those looking for more depth amidst the violence and horror.

While some may find the execution across the trilogy somewhat superficial, "The Purge: Election Year" stands out for addressing contemporary issues in a manner that prompts reflection on real-world parallels. The run-and-gun scenes may only offer basic thrills, but they are competently handled and contribute to the overall tension of the narrative. As a thriller with political overtones, it is particularly relevant in today's climate.

In conclusion, while "The Purge: Election Year" may not be a masterclass in filmmaking, it successfully combines thematic elements with action to leave viewers contemplating its societal implications. Universal's Blu-ray release, despite lacking substantial supplemental content, delivers commendable video and audio quality. Recommended for fans of the series and those intrigued by its social commentary.