Where's Pinhead?

Rating: Null/10 (16 November 2000)

Looks like some kind of unofficial sequel to HELLRAISER. It's head & other things above the Barker horror, but The Cube itself resembles a huge internalized Lament Configuration & the opening scene of (strangely dispassionate) gore is straight-up Bradley & Co. Greatest achievement is the film's ability to hold the interest via sparse location, ensemble cast and (gulp...) mathematics!! Without getting too "media literate", it seems The Cube is a metaphor for life itself. Interesting sideline debate about whether blaming misfortune on a conspiracy provides a comfort absent from a reality in which no Responsible Party is behind "it". CUBE may owe an art-direction debt to THX-1138 & thematically to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Despite widespread critical claims of template characterization, CUBE adds a (minor) degree of ambiguity separate from (for example) Romero's "statement" figures. Best Character? Worth, without a doubt...