Cube

Rating:
Summary: Math of the Cube
Review: No comments on the math behind the film? Well, I liked the film, but they really needed a math advisor. The numeric genius hero is looking the number 645 for 3.5 seconds, and finally concluded 'it is not a prime'. Well of course it is not a prime, the number ending with 5 is divisible by 5. Then she turns her attention to the next number, 372. An even number! Yet, it took her 3 seconds to conclude that it is not a prime.

After that, she needs an autistic 'genius' in order to be able to count the prime factors of a 3-digit integer. Come on, every child could do that.

And yet, she somehow deciphers the coordinates of the rooms by 'decoding' three numbers. Not only the coordinates, but also the trajectory the room follows in time. I played that part of the DVD a couple of times, and her explanation does not make sense. Is there really some math behind these coordinates or is it just empty talk? Please write to me at [e-mail] if you can transform those numbers into coordinates.

Rating:
Summary: Particularly nasty
Review: Though Cube contains an interesting (if simplistic) concept, what it really calls for is some good acting and gritty dialogue in order to justify what would be a terrifying and claustrophobic scenario. What makes for a promising premise falls flat in these areas however - punctuated by some truly atrocious and forced interaction; the walls could have been made of polystyrene and the traps lethal pop-guns, just give us some realistic acting not this farcical rubbish. In the end you wont care a bit for the plight of these intensely dislikable characters, you will care however why you wasted a couple of hours valuable time on this tripe. For sci-fi fans only.

Rating:
Summary: What a great movie.
Review: Never heard the movie before I Bought the DVD and just surprised to find out how good this movie is. The story is about a group of people waking up in a maze full of traps. Saying more will spoil the fun. Anyway, on the technical side of the DVD, this one doesn't have 5.1 Dolby Digital but with the sound this good you can hardly tell the different. The sound is simply awesome. The picture quality is quite good as well. It's OK if you don't know anybody involved in this movie, simply order this and have fun. You won't be sorry.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant story filmed in a Single Room !
Review: Just because filmmakers of the Cube, having a low budget, filmed it in a single room doesn't mean that it is a B sci-fi. To tell the truth I have never seen a plot so original as in Cube. Some may think that it is boring to watch; I have to disagre with anyone who dislikes Cube because it is one intelligent creation that leaves us, attentive viwers, in a deep contemplative mood and with a long lasting impression. Cube is unique bcause it provides insights into human behavior. It is the movie that shows how several strangers deal with a dangerous situation and a position where they need to learn to cooperate in order to survive.

The plot is simple but unusual. A small group of strangers found themselves in a death trap or an extremely elaborate labyrinth of interconnected cubical rooms with lethal traps in some of them. Different rooms that are traps contain from elector-molecular to sound sensors and are equipped with either deadly flame-throwers, razor sharp knives that protrude through walls, acid sprays or something else that can brutally dismember an unsuspecting victim. At first there seems no order and no leads as were to go and how to avoid a trap for our characters, which results in panic and despair. But as time passes they discover that pattern exists and there is a reason why specifically each one of them is here. There happen to be a math genius, engineer, doctor and few other interesting individuals. Together they try to find a way out, and just when it seemed that they understand how the maze is structured there comes a surprise and a disappointment with another dose of despair. The labyrinth is much more complicated than it appears and it will take a huge mental and physical effort to solve it.

Without a doubt Cube is a brilliant film with a unique idea. I want to warn everyone that it is extremely intense and scary at times. I also want to point out that people with decent math background, or someone who likes math, will find it especially enjoying because it will be easier to understand how the puzzling trap was solved, and the exit found.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating stuff
Review: I just finished watching this movie, and, I have to say, wow. So the actors can't act. So the dramatic portions seem forced and overdone. It really doesn't matter. Watching Cube is really an amazing experience. It has a lot going for it, and all its fault get pushed under the rug, so to speak. It speaks to that philosophy of movies in which the important aspect is that they ENTERTAIN. So, in that direction, it boasts some wonderful twists and turns (literally), shocking horror scenes that leave a formidable impression without disgusting, and one of the most tense scenes I have ever seen in a movie (For those of you who've seen it, you'll know which one I'm talking about when I say that it has to do with a sound sensor. I actually had to get up and leave the room until it was over, then rewind it and see what I missed.). For anyone but the pickiest of movie critics or the squeamish, watch this movie, as you'll most definitely enjoy it - from beginning (a strongly shocking opener) to end (surprises right up to the credits).

Rating:
Summary: Cubesteak
Review: This is a pretty cool movie, and no surprise it wasn't a Hollywood picture, because this kind of stuff doesn't get made there. Several characters awaken inside a mysterious maze -- part labyrinth, parth deathtrap, with hints of "Hellraiser" in its construction and lethality.

Anyway, the band of characters (Quentin, Holloway, Worth, Levan, and Kazan) try to figure their way out, dealing with the Cube and with each other in various ways. Using only a tiny set, the makers of this movie create a menacing, disturbing, claustrophobic mood throughout.

Weaknesses of the movie are in the writing -- I think the action kicks in a little too early, and the characters aren't developed enough. But the dynamics of their relationships are entertaining to watch, and things are never what they seem.

The movie works on several thematic levels, being pretty allegorical -- the Cube representing life and death itself, with the prisoners being proxies for you and me. I didn't like the ending because of this message, not because of what happens.

I wish more science fiction movies like this were out there.

Rating:
Summary: Lets try this again
Review: I actually have reviewed "Cube" before, giving it 2 stars the last time, and a scathing critique. That little paragraph had an approval rating that was "1 out of every 13 people agreed with this review" I suppose I would be offended by that if I personally knew anyone who voted, but that isn't the reason I'm re-reviewing (not sure that's a word) this flick. I've watched Cube again and think that my earlier words were a bit harsh. I still stick by the fact that This movie has MANY faults. Including lack-luster character developement, and a detestable ending. However I also have seen that this is actually a fairly decent movie. The entire feel leaves the impression of an extended episode of the Twilight Zone. This is given by the limited use of sets, and special effects, and also the intersting "lord of the flys"ish story. It really is a cinematic study of human short-comings and qualities. I can perhaps respect the film for it's intentions in that direction, but over all watching Cube is rather comparable to eating a Pack of Candy for dinner. Tastes good at the time, but leaves you hungry afterward. I think that leaving some questions open to the veiwer is alright, but the screen writers for this movie just left too much open. Couple this with my afore mentioned complaints and really you have a sub-par movie that could have been much more.

Rating:
Summary: Skip It
Review: Cube is the tale of a group of people who awake to find themselves in a square room (a cube!) and with no idea how they got there. The rest of the film is spent trying to figure out how they got there and how to get out, as they make their way from one cube room to another.

Sounds boring, right? It is. Cube is an okay film at best, but that is only if you try to derive deeper meaning from it. I tried, I found a nugget, but I still really wasn't all that entertained.

The main failing of the film is that we really don't like any of the characters. I know, sometimes this is done to make an artistic statement, well, it had better be done really well then, because any slip up with unlikable characters produces an unlikable movie.

I have to give Cube credit, it is a low-budget film, and the actors do for the most part turn in nice performances. My big problem, however, was that I just didn't care by the time it was over.

Rating:
Summary: Half Horror, half Suspense = A Psychotic Movie!
Review: From the darkest minds comes this hellish / savage flick about terror, desperation, and intelligence. Sure this movie is highly original, with it's moody atmospheres, and lighting source, and has an eccentric story-line, but why do people bash on this movie? That is simply beyond me... *sighs* This is definitely one of the BEST movies that I have seen in a loong time! The acting is great! Sure there will be no Oscar nominations or anything quite like that, but who cares? This movie is just simply amazing, and delivers plenty. I don't think that any of our words will do this film justice, it must be experienced to totally understand, and I think some of you can relate to this matter. This movie just proves that you don't need flashy-state of the art special affects to execute a true horror/sci-fi flick. Well, with that said, what are you waiting for? GO buy / rent this! Run, don't walk!

Rating:
Summary: It almost works
Review: First off, I have to say that I found this to be an interesting movie, with some well thought out twists and turns. However, in places, it does tend to start to bog itself down, and you can start to feel the time just dragging on. Some of the traps are rather ingenius too, although I have some reservations about the feasibility of some of them actually being able to work the way they are portrayed to.

Taking the acting into account now, certainly none of the actors would win any type of award for their performances, but I've seen B movies with much worse actors than those in this movie, so I won't say too much bad about them. The guy playing the cop tended to ham it up a little too much, and one of the characters I thought was one of the most interesting got killed much too early into the movie. These things happen though.

I had almost been tempted to give this movie four stars, but dropped it to three because of a lame reversal type of gotcha ending. For those that haven't seen this movie I don't want to give too much away so I'll try to be vague. In their travels through the cube, we are treated to them opening the room doors many times, always with a rather loud clicking and banging sound. However, at the end, someone is able to sneak into a room of other characters without them hearing anything, no noises or anything. Unbelievable. For more than just that reason too since this person had also been able to circumnavigate the traps in the other rooms with no help which wasn't likely.

All in all though, I'd say this movie is at least worth the price of a rental, but not one I'll buy to add to my collection.