from small acorns...

Rating: Null/10 (5 April 1999)

This po-faced sci-fi thriller overcomes a miniscule budget admirably with its ingenious concept and slick pacing. True, there's some embarrassing 'kick-ass' dialog at times, and the acting is a little sketchy, but despite a slow start, the script begins to get more interesting once the more metaphysical aspects are introduced. As the film progresses, there are some genuinely gripping scenes which forgive the occasional lapse into melodramatic clichÃ© (and the rather confused mathematical premise on which the escape from the cube is exercised). Natali inventively overcomes the limitations of the cramped environment, keeping the whole film dynamic looking and visually interesting throughout. Sad it has to resort to a 'Magus'-style cop out ending. What is the purpose of the cube? What is the meaning of life? Who are we, why are we and where do we come from? Nevertheless, if Lucas could progress from 'THX 1138' to 'Star Wars', then I'm sure we'll be seeing some fascinating work from this guy in a couple of years.