Chapter 126126. What to do in the cinema?

"The Purge" was originally released in 2013. The reason why it became popular was the result of many factors.

The most important factor is the overall environment, especially after the financial crisis in 2008, the number of bankrupt families in the United States increased sharply and the number of homeless people increased significantly.

Social grievances were growing, the proportion of shootings was increasing year by year, and people needed an outlet to vent. "The Purge" just happened to fit the social psychology of the time.

In addition, although the male lead Ethan Hawke has never been popular, he has become a familiar face over the years and has occupied a place in the field of art films.

The heroine is Lena Headey, who became famous for her role as Sei in Game of Thrones and was at her peak in those two years.

Although her peak performance might only reach the knees of first-tier actresses, both of them still have some box office appeal, not much, but there is.

However, the original plot was so lame that it was widely criticized in China, where it received very low ratings. It was also widely criticized in the United States.

For example, the two children are idiots and have negative IQs. They don't believe in their father on Killing Day, but they are very kind and take in outsiders and their boyfriends. The father is the only normal person in the family, but unfortunately he was killed by his wife and his naughty children.

The villain Mask Gang started off well but ended badly, although they seemed very powerful in the early stages.

Especially when the leader shot and killed his own people, he looked neurotic and acted like he was the big boss.

In the end, they were easily wiped out. Compared with the oppressive feeling they created, they were pure clowns.

This kind of rubbish might have worked in 2013, but it might not have worked in 2003.

So when he was writing the script outline, Eric simply abandoned the first part and started directly from the second part of the series, which was the most well-received one, "The Purge 2: Anarchy".

Anyway, the first and second parts are independent stories, so it doesn't matter who starts from.

He also made significant changes to the story of the second part, shifting the focus from highlighting the individuals of the protagonists to highlighting class conflicts and social chaos.

In the end, the protagonist's ending was also changed by Eric. In the original plot, he was so soft-hearted that he couldn't bring himself to kill his enemy.

The problem is that you are a murderous Navy SEAL who has been planning a plan for a year, but you give up at the last minute. This ending is a huge break from the character's personality.

So Eric was changed to the male protagonist who decisively killed his enemy, and the whole movie was dark from beginning to end, without any sunshine or reversal.

If you want to have fun, take it to the extreme. A dark ending will make the movie seem more profound.

I found a corner and sat down. Just as I expected, there were not many people in the theater, only 15 including Eric and Nicole.

The lights went down and the theater fell into darkness.

Nicole took off her disguise and helped Eric take off his mask. The two kissed each other. They both knew that the other wanted this.

After a few minutes, their tongues separated and Nicole let out a long breath.

"Well, I can finally get some fresh air. It's really uncomfortable to wear a mask and a hat in the summer."

Eric handed her the iced cola. "Then drink some. It's the happy drink for fat people. What does the Coca-Cola commercial say?"

Nicole quickly turned her head away: "No, I drink juice. Coke will make people fat."

"What's wrong with being a little fatter? Didn't I tell you that I hope you gain weight?"

"Humph! Wishful thinking!"

Nicole wrinkled her cute nose.

On the big screen, a shark, symbolizing AK Films, swam by, and the movie officially began.

Since the plot was chosen to adapt the second generation, the background story must be explained clearly, so the beginning part is similar to the first part.

In the voiceover, scenes shot by the camera flashed by. Although they were blurry, they gave people a real feeling.

The people in the video are carrying out various types of killings, using guns, forks, sticks and even kitchen knives. There are both home robberies and random killings on the streets. Each scene is like a documentary.

"In 2025, the Earth's economy stagnated and the population surged. As a former superpower, America was not immune to falling into the trap."

"The unemployment rate has increased sharply year by year. Deep-seated social problems such as the financial crisis, the proliferation of guns, rampant drug trafficking, immigration issues, and racial conflicts have erupted. The lower-class people are increasingly dissatisfied with society and the government. Violent incidents are frequent and the crime rate is skyrocketing."

"In order to allow the people to vent their repressed and dissatisfied emotions and optimize the population structure, the U.S. government has formulated and implemented a new policy: Killing Day!"

"Every year, starting at 7pm on March 21 and ending at 7am on March 22, the country implements irresponsible killing, and all public service systems such as police, fire brigades, and hospitals are suspended."

"Except for officers of rank 10 and above, there is no legal responsibility for killing anyone, and this is the ninth year of the killing day."

After reading the background introduction, Nicole nodded slightly: "It's a good idea. Setting the world's most powerful country, the United States, as a country with many problems gives people a sense of contrast."

"Haha. Do you really think these problems are the result of imaginary settings? Take the three major issues of guns, sugar and race, for example. Aren't they now laid bare in front of us?" Eric asked with a smile.

"That's true. It's just a guess about the future based on reality." Nicole said after thinking for a while.

"You can understand it this way. There are often people posting related arguments and posts online."

"Really? I haven't paid attention to this, but this setting reminds me of a Japanese movie from a few years ago."

"Battle Royale, is that what you want to talk about?"

"Yes, but it just feels a bit similar. Actually, if you think about it carefully, they are not the same. I am actually looking forward to the next plot."

Eric pulled her up and made her sit on his lap, and started to make love with her as if no one was around. It was pitch dark now and no one would care in the back corner.

More importantly, the other audience members who were just talking and laughing were now attracted by the movie. They all stared at the big screen intently, and not a single noise could be heard.

"Baby, this isn't a good place to be, and I still want to watch a movie." Nicole said, panting slightly.

Eric's strokes on her neck made her shiver, that was her comfort zone.

"I'm telling you, dear, there's really nothing to see. If you think this is a classic movie with depth like Battle Royale, I'm telling you you're wrong. This is just a bloody, violent action movie."

"Don't forget that the film production company is called AK Films. Its last film was Sharknado. I remember you went to the cinema to watch it."

A strange expression appeared on Neeko's face. "Now that you put it that way, I think I understand. Well, it seems that I overestimated it, but it's really a bit of a waste of this theme setting."

"As long as it can make money, baby, there is your "La Vie en Rose" in art films."

Nicole slid her fingers gently across Eric's face: "In that case, let me tease you."

As she spoke, her hand had already reached into Eric's clothes.

The two were flirting in the corner, and a violent game was already unfolding on the big screen.

Eric didn't recognize any of the actors, not even one like Evangeline Lilly who would become a big star ten years later.

That can only mean one thing, that this group of people were unlucky in their previous lives, but are the lucky ones chosen in this life.

Maybe because of "The Purge", big stars who were not supposed to appear will gradually rise in Hollywood.

Bang!

In the movie, the rich, government forces, rebels, and lower-class people take turns to appear, and various plots that challenge the bottom line of human morality are taking place.

The poor are hunted because they are unable to protect themselves, and the rich pay to buy the lives of the poor as a tool for entertainment.

The government felt that not enough lower-class people had died, so it simply started the massacre itself, but this also gave rise to a resistance organization.

The rebels can use the cover of the Killing Day to massacre the rich and plunder their wealth, while recruiting poor people who are unable to protect themselves into the organization and continuously strengthen themselves.

There were raging fires on the streets, and the leftover cars from the filming of "Transformers" were burned, making the entire city look like a Shura hell.

The few spectators watched with great interest, exclaiming from time to time, as if they were actually there.

In the corner, Eric was biting Nicole.

The latter closed his eyes, hugged Eric's head tightly and pressed it down, making a faint humming sound.

Explosion! Boom!

“Yeah!”

The violent explosion caused broken limbs and arms to fly everywhere. The Colosseum used by the rich to play hunting games was blown up and burned, which immediately caused several young people in the theater to scream.

"Can you be quiet? You scared me!" someone said dissatisfiedly.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it."

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"Pull yourself back, it's just a movie."

"Yeah, yeah, it's fucking exciting!"

In the picture, the exchange of fire between government forces and rebels continued, bullets were flying, and people were constantly being shot to pieces.

Later, rocket launchers and grenades were added to the mix, but the poor quality of the special effects still made people think back to "Sharknado".

Because the rebels lagged behind the government forces in terms of both personnel quality and firepower, they finally retreated hastily after leaving behind dozens of corpses.

There were rumbling sounds of cannons on the screen and in the cinema as well.

After another passionate kiss, the two returned to sitting side by side.

At this time on the big screen, the sun has risen, and the 7 o'clock clock on March 22nd rings, and the annual Killing Day comes to an end.

At this time, the camera pulled up and, from a very far angle, saw the survivors gradually gathering in the square and praying to the statue of Washington in the center.

"Thank you to the victims of the Killing Days. Your sacrifice has made this country a safer place."

"Thank you for your contribution to our country and to humanity."

“May God be with you!”

"God bless America, the nation is reborn!"

The movie ends with this increasingly distant shot, full of absurdity and irony.

The lights in the theater came back on. Eric and Nicole had finished their costume changes and were waiting for the audience in front of them to leave.

The young man who just shouted was discussing the plot with his friends.

"Garfield, I told you this movie would be great, it's so exciting!"

My companion also said with great interest: "I totally agree with your point of view. Legal killing day is a very interesting concept."

"I'm going to go back and tell Millie and the others that this is more exciting than The Matrix. I don't understand the concept of virtual reality or reality."

Next to him, a man who looked to be in his thirties couldn't help but sneer, "I admit that this movie is okay, but it has too many plot holes. Is it better than The Matrix? What a joke."

Hearing this, the young man immediately glared at the other person: "We are talking, do you really need to interrupt us?"

The man opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but when he saw that the other party had three people and he was alone, he paused and turned away.

"Ha ha ha ha."

The three young men suddenly burst into exaggerated laughter, as if they had won a battle.

After everyone had left, Eric and Nicole stood up and left.

"The box office of 'The Purge' shouldn't be bad," said Nicole.

"Why? You didn't watch the plot."

Bang! "You jerk! I didn't see it because of you."

"Hahaha, then why do you say that the box office won't be bad?"

"It's simple, because it appeals to the audience. Looking at these young people, it's obvious that the film will be popular among this group of people."

"So how much do you think the box office will reach?"

Neeko shook her head. “I don’t know, but I don’t think it will reach the level of Sharknado.”

"Why?" Eric looked at her curiously.

"It's very simple. Sharknado is a pure spoof movie. Although it's terrible, it's suitable for people of all ages to watch. When people spread the word, their appreciation for ugliness will drive them to the cinema."

"But The Purge is not like that. It is a normal drama. Its reputation is definitely better than Sharknado, but it certainly does not attract as many viewers as Sharknado, so I think the box office is unlikely to surpass the latter."

After listening to Nicole's analysis, Eric looked at her in surprise: "My dear, I didn't expect you to have the talent of an analyst."

"Hmph! Don't underestimate me! I'm not only good at making movies, I also know business. In Australia, I've already bought thousands of acres of land."

"So amazing!" Eric pretended to be surprised.

"Of course, if MGM goes bankrupt someday, I will support you!"

"Hahahaha. Who knows? There might really be a day like this in the future. Thank you in advance."

"When you thank me, please be sincere, no laughing!"

"Okay, thank you for supporting me, Nicole."

"What did you call me?"

"Honey."

"Say it later!"

"Baby."

"Say it later!"

"Wife."

“That’s more like it!”

(End of this chapter)