This suspense movie has you on the edge of your seat. Combine "Lord of the Flies" with "Hellraiser" and you still might not get a full picture of this thriller. A real must see!!
--George
Cube
Directors: Vincenzo Natali
Producers: Mehra Meh, Betty Orr
Writers: Vincenzo Natali, Andre Bijelic, Graeme Manson
Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Access; Audio Commentary; Deleted Scenes; Comparative & Alternate Storyboards; Production & Schematic; Set Design Special F/X Artwork; Theatrical Trailer; Production Commentary; Widescreen (Aspect Ratio 1.85:1); Audio: Ultra Stereo; Subtitles: Spanish, French
Characters:
Quentin - Maurice Dean Wint
Leaven - Nicole de Boer
Holloway - Nicky Guadagni
Worth - David Hewlett
Rennes - Wayne Robson
Kazan - Andrew Miller
Alderson - Julian Richings
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Review:
Upon recommendation from our esteemed editor Jay, and after reading Ken's review from the VHS version, I went ahead and saw "Cube." I was not disappointed in the least! For a movie that was a low budget indie film, this movie really rocks. I mean, there are elements in this film that really make this seem like a blockbuster. Sadly, it was not distributed well here and has fallen into obscurity. This is definitely worth checking out, if you can find it.
The DVD did come with some nice features. The commentary was really informative and I was impressed with how well they described the production of the film. There are symbolism details and explanations that are given, but the true meaning of the cube is left to your own imagination. There are some deleted scenes, but they are extraneous, and it was good that they were deleted. The commentary is available for two of the three scenes. I also enjoyed the storyboard comparisons as they had some additional traps that were not in the movie (probably for budgetary reasons).
The widescreen picture was nice and crisp and eliminated the bleeding that Ken mentioned on the VHS version. The red rooms where were some of the more intense dialogue scenes are, but the blue room with the sound trap was the most tense situation in the whole movie. The sound was a depressing ultra stereo. It did its job, but a more enhanced soundtrack would have been preferable. I didn't even know there was such a thing as ultra stereo, I mean, that sounds like something out of the 80's.
"Cube" centers around a group of characters who awaken in a giant maze of cubes. They don't know why they are there, but they soon realize that they each have a "gift" or contribution to the group. One man is a cop, another lady is a doctor, and there is a reclusive government contractor who holds a secret. There is a young girl who is a mathematics whiz, an escape artist, and a man who is autistic. They all realize they will need each other to survive the various traps within the cube and escape before they die of dehydration.
This film was unique in its idea, but it reminded me a lot of a book I read in middle school called "House of Stairs" by William Sleator. A picture of pure psychological mind games, "Cube" does carry the same peril as the group members start becoming more and more paranoid, delusional, and scared. The danger stops being the cube, but the internal strife developing within the group. This movie was a masterpiece in its own right.
Now, Ken was right about the loose ends. There are some things that should have been explained, but the idea that they weren't did leave a very X-file"ish" feel to the film. The why's are left to the viewer to ponder and mull over. Holloway, the doctor, has her theory, but it does not withstand scrutiny from the others. The idea put for by Worth is the most chilling as it sends a very bleak view of the group's situation.
I would rate this film with four stars out of five. It has enough features to warrant buying it, but if you don't want to, you should most definitely rent this movie!! You will not be disappointed as "Cube" is not your average film. It will capture from the beginning with the peril that faces the group, and it holds till the very end. Never a dull moment, "Cube" is now on one of my favorite films list.
---George Castillo