It
is a very rare occurrence, these days, that a film can sneak up on you without
any warning. This is probably one
of the reason’s why I enjoyed it so much. It is also refreshing to see that a
film so compelling can be made without the massive budget or corporate hype that
is par for the course in Hollywood these days.
Cube began as a “project” in association with the Canadian Film Foundation and debuted at various film festivals around the world although it did not enjoy a full UK cinema release.
The basic premise of the film is that a group of strangers awaken in a cube and have to find their way out without getting killed. That is as much of the plot as I am prepared to give away. The starkness of the setting allows for the actor’s performances and the viewer’s imagination to add to the body of the film whilst keeping the budget down. Having said that the acting is somewhat method with most of the actors comfortably taking on their appointed stereotypes. I enjoyed Nicole de Boer’s (currently playing a woman with a snake in her tummy on a popular cable TV sci fi franchise) performance as the geeky teenage mathematician.
There are just enough hints to the origin of the cube to give conspiracy theorists a field day. The viewer will also be inclined to formulate theories as to why the particular individuals were chosen.
Those
of you who like all your information handed to you on a plate are going to be
disappointed. The fact that the
ending leaves you desperate for more only serves to add to the impact of the
film.
A word of warning to DVD viewers. I would advise not to watch the trailer before the film as this will severely lessen the films impact. Fortunately this is just an observation, having watched it afterwards.