Is Gleaming the Cube Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Gleaming the Cube is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies.
It features a runtime of 106 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Gleaming the Cube Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1989, Gleaming the Cube emerges as a significant entry in the Crime, Thriller, Action domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of An Orange County teenager's carefree life of ditching class and skateboarding abandoned pools comes to a screeching halt when someone close to him dies. Unlike standard genre fare, Gleaming the Cube attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Gleaming the Cube features a noteworthy lineup led by Christian Slater . Supported by the likes of Steven Bauer and Richard Herd , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Gleaming the Cube (1989) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Gleaming the Cube Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Gleaming the Cube is a Crime, Thriller, Action film that delves into the criminal underworld with gritty realism and moral complexity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Gleaming the Cube Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Gleaming the Cube concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Gleaming the Cube reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Gleaming the Cube Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Gleaming the Cube incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, thriller, action film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Gleaming the Cube adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Gleaming the Cube?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Gleaming the Cube Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $10.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $2.8M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Gleaming the Cube Budget
The estimated production budget for Gleaming the Cube is $10.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Gleaming the Cube
- Christian Slater – Brian Kelly
- Steven Bauer – Al Lucero
- Richard Herd – Ed Lawndale
- Ed Lauter – Mr. Kelly
- Le Tuan – Colonel Trac
Top Highlights
Christian SlaterBrian Kelly
Steven BauerAl Lucero
Richard HerdEd Lawndale
Ed LauterMr. Kelly
Le TuanColonel Trac
Peter KwongBobby Nguyen
Charles CyphersHarvey McGill
Micole MercurioMrs. Kelly
Min LuongTina Trac
Art ChudabalaVinh Kelly
Where to Watch Gleaming the Cube Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
fuboTV
Amazon Prime Video with Ads🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoParents Guide & Age Rating
Gleaming the Cube is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6/10, and global collection metrics, Gleaming the Cube stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1989 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gleaming the Cube movie hit or flop?
Gleaming the Cube has received mixed reviews with a 6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Gleaming the Cube worth watching?
Gleaming the Cube is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Crime, Thriller, Action movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Gleaming the Cube online?
Gleaming the Cube is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Gleaming the Cube
Yeah, it's not the best movie. It could actually be a lot better... but it is entertaining as all.... heck? Even if you aren't hip to the whole skater thing, this is a seriously fun movie to watch in the cheap 80s action/adventure kind of way. It has a compelling enough police drama vide, even if most of the action is centered around skateboarding... which is also fun to watch. I honestly think a lot of the distaste comes from the fact that it is capitalizing on what was, in the 80s, seen as a passing fad. But the story is still solid for what it is. It has a good message about family ties. It has actual character growth. The story is something that Hollywood has forgotten to do lately, make a compelling narrative. But this somehow manages to accomplish that and still, you know, exploit the skater phenomenon that was sweeping the nation at the time.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
