Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- rebellious
- kinetic
- earnest
- nostalgic eighties movie night
- skateboarding film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as an entertaining but weakly constructed teen action thriller, with its skateboarding energy unable to overcome its implausible story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Brian investigates the apparent suicide by skating through Los Angeles and using his skateboarding skills as part of the film's action language.
Brian rejects the police conclusion and investigates because of his attachment to his murdered adopted brother.
The murder is connected to a shop sending weapons to Vietnam while presenting them as medical supplies.
The skateboarding set pieces and commercial action-adventure presentation give the film a distinctly heightened late-1980s flavor.
Films like Gleaming the Cube, and why
Thrashin'
teen-centered crime investigation, skateboarding culture, and brightly commercial 1980s action energy
The Last Dragon
youthful protagonists confronting criminal conspiracies through kinetic urban action and rebellious subculture
The Lost Boys
teen crime thriller atmosphere, outsider investigation, and stylized late-1980s Los Angeles sensibility
Rad
young protagonists, family loyalty, and accessible action built around a distinctive youth pastime
Movie Details
- Director
- Graeme Clifford
- Release Date
- 1989-01-13
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (147)
Cast
- Christian Slater
- Steven Bauer
- Richard Herd
- Ed Lauter
- Le Tuan
- Peter Kwong
- Charles Cyphers
- Micole Mercurio
- Min Luong
- Art Chudabala
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Gleaming the Cube about?
- A rebellious Los Angeles skateboarder turns detective after his adopted brother’s supposed suicide exposes a deadly weapons-trafficking conspiracy.
- What is Gleaming the Cube like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Gleaming the Cube as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Gleaming the Cube violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Gleaming the Cube as moderate.
- What did critics think of Gleaming the Cube?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as an entertaining but weakly constructed teen action thriller, with its skateboarding energy unable to overcome its implausible story.
- Which films are like Gleaming the Cube?
- Films with a similar feel include Thrashin', The Last Dragon, The Lost Boys, and Rad.
- How long is Gleaming the Cube?
- Gleaming the Cube runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Gleaming the Cube?
- In United States, Gleaming the Cube streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
