The story of all 3 Cube films are
similar in that a group of people are trapped inside a hypercube –
think of a Rubik’s Cube where the segments move around through the
X,Y and Z axis instead of rotating in a pre-determined order – and
try to escape. The first two follow this pattern with one escapee,
and the third also gives us a view from behind the scenes, much how
Cabin in the Woods does, watching the 'brains' behind the operations.
Cube
Apart from the Ving Rhames impressions
and unexplainable outbursts of anger, solid acting all round. There
isn't really much 'horror' here, focussing more on the psychological
aspect and how the 6 deal with being potentially trapped forever.
Definitely the best of the trio, even with a shorter shooting time
and what looked like a smaller budget for effects. Even though the
entire film was filmed in the same 'cell', the coloured panels did
their job at creating the illusion of multiple rooms. Even with a
story so simple – here's some people trying to escape a crazy maze
– Cube manages to engage you for the whole 90 minutes.
3/5
Cube 2 – Hypercube
The same story as it's predecessor, but
this time with a little more, and also a little less, explanation. In
the first Cube, we learn that each individual is in there for a
reason. In Cube 2, we learn that the individuals all have ties to the
company IZON which seems to be the name behind the Cube's making. We
still have no idea WHY there are people in the Cube though. Number 2
is more hi-tech and sci-fi, which is noticeable in the white panels
compared to the colours in number 1, the advanced traps and the fact
that the cells have differentials in their time stream. One moment
you could be moving slowly, and the next, faster than Road Runner.
Parallel universes are a tricky subject to navigate and this wasn't
any exception. There are plenty of questions that don't add up with
the time differences and such, but we let that slide I guess.
2.5/5
Cube Zero
The final and also the first. Cube zero
is a prequel to Cube only in the sense that it is set beforehand
chronologically. It does tie in with the first by referencing it a
few times, but the presence of IZON isn't as prevalent in the final
two films. A fine shake-up instead of following the same pattern of
the others, but once again, certain questions are still left
unanswered after seeing the whole trilogy. One thing that did annoy
me was the twist ending. Yes there's a twist ending –
congratulations on complaining about spoilers for a film that not
only went straight to video, but did so 9 years ago. We see one
character 'turned' into a – how can I put this without sounding
insulting... The same way IMDB did – disabled man. I did the whole
“OOOOOOOHHHHHHHH” thing when Wynn was found by the others, but
didn't appreciate the scene was exactly the same, word for word, even
down to where the characters were standing, as the first film.
3/5
While disappointed that the finale
wasn't called Cube cubed, a pretty good set of films. Watchable in
one sitting or individually.
