CUBE 2: HYPERCUBE

Cube 2: Hypercube

Executive Producers: Ernie Barbarash
Director: Andrzej Sekula
Screenplay By: Sean Hood, Ernie Barbarash, Lauren McLaughlin

Cast: Kari Matchett, Geraint Wyn Davies, Grace Lynn Kung, Matthew Ferguson, Neil Crone, Bruce Gray, Philip Akin

Rated: R For language, some violence, and brief nudity.
DVD Running Time: 94 mins
DVD Audio Status: 5.1 Dolby Digital VHS Audio Status: Dolby Stereo
DVD Special Features: 16x9 Widescreen, Production Commentary with Producer Ernie Barbaresh and Editor Mark Sanders, Making of the Special FX, Interview with the Director, Deleted Scenes, Storyboard Presentation, Photo Gallery
Territory: For sale or rental in the United States and Canada.

Movie: * * *
Disc: * * *

OK, so what’s the point of a sequel to the 1997 cult hit Cube? Before watching the movie, I imagined the production meeting going something like this: “I have it! Let us have even more characters this time! Let them try to survive in a bigger, meaner cube! A hypercube! After all, it worked in movies like Robocop, Terminator and Superman: let the hero fight even meaner villains in the sequels!” And someone else would reply: “Yeah, and let’s make it a cube where the normal laws of physics do not even apply!” I imagined cigars no doubt being lit and smug Hollywood execs reclining in their chairs afterwards . . .

However, what should have been a redundant rehash of events from the first movie is instead a fast-paced entertaining affair definitely worth a rental. Compared to other straight-to-video fare out there, Cube 2: Hypercube is pretty darn good. Even if you’re a die-hard fan of the original movie and the sequel seems like heresy to you, then Cube 2 is still worth seeing. Sure, the original remains superior and the premise (while intriguing) has lost its initial impact. Also, Cube 2 may seem like Cube redone with less maths and existential angst and more action and special effects.

Ultimately, Cube 2 is not too shabby and, like I said in my original review, is better than it has any right being.

THE DISC: This is the Region 1 version. The production commentary (with the producer and editor) is of moderate interest and so is the Interview with the director, focusing on the technical side of things, especially the computer-generated effects. The deleted scenes are more like alternate scenes, spelling things more out especially towards the end. Some of these scenes are incomplete. In addition, to what one usually expects there are also a storyboard presentation and a photo gallery.

WORTH IT? Not shoddy for a release that bypassed the cinemas and made its way straight to the video shelves. A well-rounded package in all.

RECOMMENDATION: Definitely worth a rental at the least!