Cube [DVD] [1998]

The beginning sequence - where a man climbs into a red cube and is sliced into bits - and falls apart - by a giant net of knives - is a freezing horror that is sustained throughout the film.

There are many twists that leave you gasping with dread, and the few special effects that are used are used in a grippingly sinister way, mostly involving the painful death of a character.

What is most frightening and disturbing about this film however, is the agressively claustrophobic atmosphere, the desperate confusion as to why they are inside the cube and where, and the lingering possibility that they will die before they escape.

From start to finish, a shocking, chilling, thriller of a film. Don't be put off by the lack of big names - this film is absolutely SUPERB.

This film breaks the mold. It is an intelligently written modern masterpiece, acted superbly by 6 unknowns with a tiny budget and shot very quickly with only one or maybe 2 takes for each scene.

The story of "Cube" is a strange but extremely facinating one.
Cube begins with 7 people waking up inside what resembles a massive Rubik Cube.Amoungst the many thousands of cubes that make up the structure are many rooms with have a deadly booby trap which will kill anyone who walks into it (usually in a very nasty way!)There are rooms which are safe to go into, but they have no idea which is which!

The poor souls have no recollection of how or why they came into the cube, and no one knows the purpose of the cube or who is ultimately responsible for their incarceration.

Stripped of practically every possession and tool, the small band of people are left to work their way around the maze of cube rooms in an attempt to find the exit before they die of starvation and thirst. In the process, they must avoid lethal traps, which dog their path.

The only apparent source of help is endless mathematical formulas engraved into each cube's door, apparently there to pinpoint the travellers' position within the entire structure and to identify traps - therefore providing a safe route out.

BUT, as with much of "Cube", these formulas turn out to be frustrating riddles whose properties change at every turn

Each character (mainly 5 as 2 die very early on) goes through a transformation as the pressure, fear and paranoia set in and it becomes increasingly clear that the cube exerts no more danger on the prisoners than they do on each other. As time goes on, it is obvious each person has a skill that, used as part of a team, can help them escape the deadly Cube. That said, the team gradually crumbles as the clock ticks and it becomes a mad race for survival from both the Cube and each other.

Brilliant idea that is masterfully brought to our screens!

Behind the obvious plot is a more subtle sub-plot which involves the human need for answers and explantion. The prisoners in the Cube spend much of their time questionning why they are there and who put them there, a question of which none of them know the answers too, but paranoia and suspisions run through the group. This is pretty much part of the human psyche. We question our existance. Why are we here and how did we get here???? etc etc... questions which ultimately have no answers but we continually ask them anyway!

This film plays on so many of our fears! Trapped in a strange place with strange people! Claustraphobia, lack of information, death, persecution, accusations, and the worst of all, not even trusting those people you have helped and supported.

Brilliant film! a Cinematic triumph!

A must have for ALL DVD/Video collections!