Arnold
Tash Jayasinghe
CibbuanoCube
November 21st 2006 06:15
Say what you like, but no one can deny that 'Cube' is unoriginal. It's by no means a perfect film, but it's definitely different (and not in a 'look at the old Ukrainian woman masturbate' arty-farty kind of way).
'Cube' is science-fiction. Not many true science-fiction films really get made in the great scheme of movies... occasionally we get an action movie that chucks in a few robots or aliens, or some regurgitated piece of tripe looking to imitate '2001', but true science-fiction films are few and far between. This is one of those rare films.
At the heart of 'Cube' is an astonishingly simple premise. A small group of very different individuals find themselves inside a square room, none of them know how they got there or why they are there. Adjoining each side of the room is another nearly identical room, some death-trapped. That's it. It's a unique and thought-provoking idea, and is suitably explored as the film progresses. Various unexpected and surprising developments stop the film from stalling or becoming too monotonous as it goes on, and the differences between the characters is every bit as important to the plot as the puzzle around them.
It's not all good though. I expect the film is low-budget to a certain degree. You wouldn't guess it from the look of the film, the sets and effects would be relatively inexpensive yet are more than adequate by necessity. The acting however, in most quarters, is below average. If it wasn't for the well thought-out script, the film would've been let down. Thankfully though, it holds up, proving that a good idea is far more important than one or two big name stars.
I was a little disappointed with how the film ended, and the direction it took in the lead-up to this ending, but I understood why it ended in such a way. Like all good science-fiction films, it makes comment on present-day society, and leaves you thinking about the bigger picture. Some people have argued that such themes -imagined or implied - are unintended, but I've never understood such a mentality. Whether a film's message is intentional or not is irrelevant to the fact that it is present, subconscious or otherwise.
TRIVIA: 'Cube' is followed by a sequel 'Hypercube' (2002), and a prequel ‘Cube Zero’ (2004).
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Im a big fan of true Sci Fi and the Cube is an ingenious use of low budget, high concept to inspires thought.
The acting is not fantastic but Im always so engrossed in whats happening it doesnt effect my enjoyment.
As for the sequels, ignore they were made. Just glossy retellings of the same story, stripped of originality.
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