Cube

Cube

Director - Vincenzo Natali
Writers - Andre Bijelic, Graeme Manson
Date - 1997

Low budget SF rarely works as most of the production effort goes into effects rather than writing, direction or acting. 'Cube' is a refreshing Canadian-made change from the mainstream Hollywood diet of violence, thin plots and seen-it-all before endings.

The set and SFX are simple, as is the plot. A mixed bunch of people wake up in a cubical room featuring a door in the centre of each of the six walls. They have no food or possessions and wear prison-style clothing. They have to get out of their predicament before they starve. Unfortunately each door leads to yet another cubical room, and some of those rooms contain lethal boobytraps. Periodic rumbling noises are heard. The prisoners never see or communicate with their captors.

The movie focusses on the escape attempts and the psychological dynamics of the group. Characters are sketched only briefly (cop, doctor, maths student, architect), and are named after US or Canadian prisons. A lot of wondering (who? why? how?) is voiced. This gives the movie the feel of an art-house film, a derogatory slur made against it by some critics.

The claustrophobic set mirrors the agonising of the characters over their fate. Neither they nor the viewers get to see the Big Picture, which is one of the main themes of the movie. If you like pre-digested Hollywood fare then this movie is definitely not for you.

'Cube' is a thoughtful (perhaps pretentious) movie which refuses to take the easy option in terms of plot and development. That alone makes it worth a look. It has the feel of the Hitchcock classic 'Lifeboat'. The acting is reasonably good throughout, unnecessary violence is minimal. It is consistent. It does not have an easy happy ending. There are no shining heroes or glamorous females, and it does not have spin-off potential for toys, McDonalds promos and posters.

We can presume that for the reasons nopted above 'Cube' did not receive a full release in the UK. However it is available on video. Next time you are bored and want to kill a few hours, rent it and make up your own mind. 'Cube' is a refreshing and thoughtful antidote to such movies as 'The Phantom Plot'.

Carla Faulkner, (c) 16th July 1998

Ghostfinder Home


	Cube Director - Vincenzo Natali Writers - Andre Bijelic, Graeme Manson Date - 1997 Low budget SF rarely works as most of the production effort goes into effects rather than writing, direction or acting. 'Cube' is a refreshing Canadian-made change from the mainstream Hollywood diet of violence, thin plots and seen-it-all before endings.

	The set and SFX are simple, as is the plot. A mixed bunch of people wake up in a cubical room featuring a door in the centre of each of the six walls. They have no food or possessions and wear prison-style clothing. They have to get out of their predicament before they starve. Unfortunately each door leads to yet another cubical room, and some of those rooms contain lethal boobytraps. Periodic rumbling noises are heard. The prisoners never see or communicate with their captors. The movie focusses on the escape attempts and the psychological dynamics of the group. Characters are sketched only briefly (cop, doctor, maths student, architect), and are named after US or Canadian prisons. A lot of wondering (who? why? how?) is voiced. This gives the movie the feel of an art-house film, a derogatory slur made against it by some critics. The claustrophobic set mirrors the agonising of the characters over their fate. Neither they nor the viewers get to see the Big Picture, which is one of the main themes of the movie. If you like pre-digested Hollywood fare then this movie is definitely not for you. 'Cube' is a thoughtful (perhaps pretentious) movie which refuses to take the easy option in terms of plot and development. That alone makes it worth a look. It has the feel of the Hitchcock classic 'Lifeboat'. The acting is reasonably good throughout, unnecessary violence is minimal. It is consistent. It does not have an easy happy ending. There are no shining heroes or glamorous females, and it does not have spin-off potential for toys, McDonalds promos and posters. We can presume that for the reasons nopted above 'Cube' did not receive a full release in the UK. However it is available on video. Next time you are bored and want to kill a few hours, rent it and make up your own mind. 'Cube' is a refreshing and thoughtful antidote to such movies as 'The Phantom Plot'. Carla Faulkner, (c) 16th July 1998