Gleaming the Cube
Twentieth Century Fox | Release Date: January 13, 1989 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
40
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
7
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
There's a genuine attempt in Gleaming the Cube to deal with the impact the loss of a brother has upon a likable, footloose teen-ager. Unfortunately, the conventions of the action-adventure/youth-flick genres prevail. The result is an exploitation picture with a little something extra--lots of awesome skateboard wizardry, culminating in a speed-of-lightning chase sequence, in which skateboards are pitted against cars. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
The plot of Gleaming the Cube is far from original, but the skateboarding sequences are exhilarating and add a great deal of excitement to otherwise routine material. Read full review
50
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
Gleaming the Cube (the title refers to achieving the skateboarding equivalent of cosmic bliss) has an intrigue plot that is unremarkable, and it doesn't do anything terribly novel with the relationship between Brian and the policeman (Steven Bauer) who helps investigate the case. It becomes somewhat more interesting in exploring the Vietnamese community of Orange County, Calif., especially in its tinier details. Read full review
50
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
With the screenplay dabbling with too many issues and stereotypes, the characters are largely one-dimensional and the relationships unconvincing. Read full review
50
Washington PostRichard Harrington
A slight skateboard thriller that looks more like one of those Afterschool Specials on television than a bona fide feature film. Read full review
50
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
Slater, who sounds as if he is trying to imitate Jack Nicholson, is the only character who has a shading of personality. His skateboarding buddies are funny, considering one needs a glossary to translate their dialog, while the Vietnamese are mostly sleazy cardboard figures. Read full review
40
EmpireKim Newman
Performances, plot and landings are nailed down, but there's not enough invention here for the film to achieve cult status. Read full review
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