Cube (2021) [Film Review]

Cube (2021); or, Running Scared
     I see a sin in your eyes.
My first encounter with the Cube franchise was not a positive one. Back in the early 2000s, while watching preview trailers on a rented VHS tape, I stumbled upon a teaser for Cube 2: Hypercube (2002). This advertising clip was so atrociously bad that it made me dislike the series before even seeing it. However, I caught the original Cube (1997) on TV years later and actually enjoyed it. It was simple, innovative, gripping, and had memorable characters. Therefore, I am all the more surprised that the Japanese decided to remake this horror classic almost 25 years later…

Release Info

Directed by: Yasuhiko Shimizu Starring: Masaki Suda, Anne Watanabe, Masaki Okada

Language: Japanese Original Title: CUBE Runtime: 108 min

Synopsis
Six strangers wake up in a cube-shaped room. They do not know how they got there or what is their purpose of being in the cube. Each wall of the room (including ceiling and floor) has doors, which lead to same cube-designed areas. The strangers try to get out of the endless, claustrophobic maze while avoiding deadly traps awaiting them en route.

Cube Your Enthusiasm
The 2021 remake directed by Yasuhiko Shimizu and produced by Vincenzo Natali (the director of the original film) faithfully repeats the basic points of the 1997 source material, but it also manages to muster up a few innovations on its own. Let’s take a look at production design, for instance. Evidently, this is a studio flick (Shochiku), so the crew actually had a budget to work with. The cubical rooms do not have the industrial, “used” look as in the original. Instead, they seem brighter, cleaner, and more spacious. The lighting of the sets is also pleasant for eyes.

In terms of the story's overall execution, Cube feels like a play on Japanese stereotypes. Whereas the original had clear anti-authority sentiment, the remake presents us with a critique of generational conflict, social politeness, honne/tatemae modes in daily interactions, and group mentality vs. individualism. Watching the 1997 and 2021 remake back to back reminded me about a passage from Haruki Murakami’s Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche, in which a survivor of the 1995 subway events states that Americans would have certainly behaved differently from Japanese passengers during a terrorist attack and, consequently, there would have been less victims.

This is very much the vibe you get from Cube (2021). The characters behave in an erratic manner when it comes to action, and they seem to be afraid more of each other rather than of the actual maze… In the original, the protagonists hated each other’s guts but at least they consciously worked on getting out. In the remake, the hints as to how the cube operates are thrown into the characters' faces. They discover solutions to challenges they face by pure chance.

With regard to performances, Masaki Suda does well as the leading man, but he gets outshined most of the time but the supporting parts of Takumi Saitoh and Kotaro Yoshida. Hikaru Tashiro is unfortunately bland as the child who forms a bond with Suda’s character. Anne Watanbe looks adorable in prison rags, but her character is one-dimensional and just when you think this is an issue, the film surprises you with a plot twist (no spoilers). As for Masaki Okada, I am glad that his fame gets recognised internationally nowadays, but this movie does a disservice to him. He just goes full Jack Torrance towards the finale. You should never go full Jack Torrance.

Recommendations
All things considered, I do not regret watching the Cube remake. Undoubtedly, it is inferior to the original, but it is worth checking out just for the production design and top-notch sound editing, which really enhances the viewing experience. It is an okay horror flick for one viewing only.Overall score: 7/10

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Fuben na Benriya (2015) [Drama Review]

Fuben na Benriya; or, Handymen to the Rescue!

     When the coal mine was closed, a lot of people left this town. It’s easy to say that it was the flow of the time. But it was brutal. Our life became convenient and ambiguity was gone. But that means that the world of fantasy is invaded. I’m worrying that people may stop dreaming before very long

I remember trying to check out Fuben na Benriya drama (literally Inconvenient Handymen) about two years ago, but I had to drop it because of technical difficulties. Finally, I managed to find all 13 episodes and I binge-watched them from beginning to the end. Having expected a peaceful asadora-type of show, I was pleasantly surprised that Fuben na Benriya is so much more than that!

Release Info

Directed by: Takayuki Suzui Starring: Masaki Okada, Kenichi Endo, Kosuke Suzuki

Language: Japanese Original Title: 不便な便利屋 No. of eps.: 12 + SP

 

Synopsis

Jun Takeyama (Masaki Okada) is a young scriptwriter from Tokyo who travels to the city of Furano (located in Hokkaido Prefecture). However, the bus stops in a nameless village because of a snow storm. Jun tries to find a place to wait out the storm, but the local hotel is closed. He walks into a bar and, surprisingly, all attendees ask him his name. When Jun confirms his name, everyone becomes ecstatic. It turns out that a man called Batsu (Kenichi Endo) has been searching for his missing son who is called Jun for 23 years. Jun the screenwriter denies any kind of blood relation, but he gladly joins the party and, consequently, wakes up the other day without his down jacket and cell phone. On top of that, he can’t leave the village because of the storm. He is forced to stay with two men who run the handyman business, the aforementioned Batsu and Matsui (Kosuke Suzuki).

 

In the middle of nowhere

To be honest, the reason why I picked this drama was because of Kenichi Endo and Kosuke Suzuki in the leading roles (Doctor X, people!). Nevertheless, Masaki Okada totally won me over with his exaggerated expressions! From the synopsis, you may think that Fuben na Benriya is boring drama, but it’s nothing like that. It is a touching comedy about three guys who try to do something positive for a small town.

 

Each episode begins with Jun writing a letter to his mom. Then, some kind of a conflict or misunderstanding happens (be it the arrival of a stranger or unconfirmed rumour). Jun, due to his wild imagination of a scriptwriter, is the first to jump to conclusions, which leads to disastrous (and hilarious!) consequences. At the very end of each story, Jun almost always ends up being in some kind of uncomfortable indisposition.

 

I particularly liked the subplots of Jun, Batsu, and Matsui, but the drama is riddled with many side stories focusing on the citizens of a small town. One may feel that this is slice of life, but these stories always end in a quirky way (for example, Yuki-onna episode!).

 

On top of that, I feel in love with the location. I have no idea where the crew shot the drama but it must have been somewhere in Hokkaido (actually, Hokkaido’s famous landmarks are featured in one of the episodes). In addition, the winter atmosphere is simply irreplaceable! The house of Matsui and Batsu is also outstanding! In my opinion, it resembles Tigger’s tree house from The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

 

I do not want to get into the spoilers area, but let me just say the ending was bittersweet rather than happy. The last episode tackled some really serious issues, but also moved me incredibly. There was also a SP released in 2016, but it has not been translated to date. From my rudimentary knowledge of Japanese, I gathered that Jun came back to the village in order to help out Matsui shot a short feature film for Sapporo Film Festival, but, as always, things got a bit out of control.

 

With regard to performances, Masaki Okada literally steals the show. He’s really good at comedy (Legal High!) and I think that he should portray mature Detective Conan in the live-action version of the anime. Endo Kenichi and Kosuke Suzuki are also wonderful. Due to Doctor X, I always associate these actors with this medical drama whenever I see them, but as handymen they are nothing like the doctor characters. Both of them give very heart-warming performances.

 

Recommendations

If you want a soothing drama with great visuals and off-the-wall comedy elements, then Fuben na Benriya is the choice for you. Oh, did I mention that during the making of this drama the real Guinness record was set for the highest number of snowmen made in one hour (episode 11)?! To conclude, Fuben na Benriya is a light and enjoyable drama. When you are in need, the handymen will always help you out.

Overall score: 9/10