A Cube, A Theory and The Numbers.

Rating: 8/10 (12 June 2020)

ðŸ˜± First Impressions:
Stuck in the eponymous Cube, a group of people wake up and stumble into deadly traps. This is maybe one of the earliest to do this kind of concept, 1997 and all. A year before I was born~ Had no idea about this film until a few years ago. If it's anything like "Saw" (by that I mean the first film hopefully) then it should be worth unraveling!
Pros:
ðŸ˜‹ The film never gives a solid answer as to who the organization or individual behind the commissioning of such a contraption is. THAT'S the fun part, theorizing whether it's some rich, sicko with time to kill. Maybe the shady government who uses taxpayer dollars for god knows what. Maybe it's a form of rehabilitation device (that's what I thought of myself, they are dressed as prisoners after all). Then there's their being named after famous prisons. Quite a strange but intriguing use of symbolism here...
ðŸ˜‹ The characters. Everyone for the most part was played extremely well. I don't think they were in any other movies I've ever seen. But I probably just don't recognize them in their PRIME (anyone?!). A-anyways, they come off stilted initially but come on- ever heard of 1st impressions? Then eventually they get to know one another (perhaps even too much) and they reveal their true personalities that they've locked away inside. Quentin and Holloway have their most inner demons explored. With Alderson and Rennes, the least. My personal favorite is Leaven, she's innocent, pretty and intelligent. Look at me voicing out biases!!
ðŸ˜‹ The crux behind the effectiveness of Cube as a thriller is how it capitalizes on the lack of gore. You'd think being in this cube where lethal traps are ready to rip them apart within seconds would be the popular, silent killer. But nope, it's the trapped human beings themselves. Quentin offs and injures badly pretty much everyone. This was done both physically and psychologically.
Before you know it; fright, paranoia and anger sets in, getting the best of the poor souls. It's a very real fear that has always existed but usually kept in check. The stress of trying to figure out whether each room is safe and on top of that being locked in with strangers could make anyone lose it.

Cons:
ðŸ˜ª The Cube has many room *snorts* for theorizing but that ultimately leads nowhere because that's just that. Possibilities. If you think about it- the group had made many mistakes in their attempts at deciphering the numbers in between each rooms before realizing that it was actually sadistically easy... If you apply that logic then the answer could just be very simple too. But I guess we won't know until I watch the sequel/prequel.
ðŸ˜ª The characters are bright and useful in their own ways but I just thought there were some obvious parts of the film that should'vd been like "wait a minute"'. When Leaven says the numbers are coordinates- I thought okay that's cool, damn.... Then I thought shouldn't the numbers be in running order then? BUT the numbers appeared to be randomized. That's when I pieced it all together. Coupled with the noise at irregular intervals. The entire structure is constantly shifting!! I just thought it was obvious by then, but alas the film needed this to set it's pacing and be more dramatic.
ðŸ˜ª I know it's a sci-fi and riddle solving movie. But honestly when they kept spouting numbers, it nearly put me well to sleep. Mind you, I've absolutely adore slow, boring movies. Maybe it's just the numbers bit, I admit they do turn me off immensely fast. I am fine with the basics, but once you add in permutations, cartesian... (probably depends on which education system your country adopts but damn I got a headache). Just a partial con. One highly personal to me. XD
ðŸ˜‡VerdictðŸ˜ˆ
Cube is obviously an indie film but one that knows exactlt what it is and doesn't overshoot the mark. Being minimalistic in its approach to the premise and set designs. Boasting serviceable characters whose occasionally awkward delivery never takes you out of their predicament. However, its barebones story is very noticeable and there is no solution to that puzzle. That is where the sequel and prequel would come in, I guess.