The Purge (2013)

In the 'new' United States all problems are solved by a single annual night of lawlessness. Cliche's, dysfunctional characters, and lack of imagination abound in this less than thrilling 'thriller'.  I had no plans to see this one thinking (rightly) it would be too much like Panic Room (which I didn't care for).  But the opportunity came up so I had a look. So as the movie starts I'm thinking that I had it pegged all wrong and it was going to be a thoughtful and interesting movie.  Sadly I was incorrect with that as well.  Personally I'm getting tired of this portrayal of families as a bunch of strangers who just dwell under the same roof.  NOTHING in this movie would have happened (except perhaps the rather weak mob scene at the end) had it not been for the 2 kids that represent what exactly? A generation who can't manage to stay focused for a single night if their lives are on the line?  Too much of this movie made no sense and none of the characters represented anything more than placeholders for the next gimmick.  Movies like this make me feel cheated out of the price of admission.