Watch Gleaming the Cube

Gleaming the Cube is a gripping 1989 action film that follows the struggles of a young skateboarder named Brian Kelly, played by Christian Slater, as he embarks on a dangerous mission to uncover the truth behind his adopted Vietnamese brother's murder. The film features a great cast, including Steven Bauer and Richard Herd, and combines elements of drama, action, and suspense to create a thrilling cinematic experience.

At the start of the film, Brian is a fun-loving skateboarding enthusiast who lives in Southern California with his adoptive family. When one of Brian's close friends dies in a skateboarding accident, he begins to question his life and seek out a new purpose. Meanwhile, Brian's adopted Vietnamese brother, Vinh, starts getting involved with a group of criminals who are smuggling weapons out of the country. After Vinh is murdered, Brian becomes obsessed with finding his killer and bringing them to justice.

As Brian follows a trail of clues, he discovers a vast conspiracy involving the military, the police, and a ruthless businessman named Colonel Trac, played by Herd. Brian draws on his skateboarding skills to elude his pursuers and get closer to the truth, facing danger and betrayal at every turn. In the end, Brian navigates a maze of lies and cover-ups to uncover the shocking truth about Vinh's murder, and is forced to confront his own sense of identity and purpose in the process.

One of the standout features of Gleaming the Cube is its depiction of skateboarding culture in the late 1980s. The film captures the freedom and excitement that skateboarding represented to many young people at the time, as well as the sense of rebellion and nonconformity that it embodied. The skateboard sequences are expertly choreographed and shot, with Slater doing many of his own stunts and conveying a natural style and grace on the board.

But Gleaming the Cube is much more than just a skateboarding movie. It is a gripping thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, with multiple twists and turns that keep the plot moving at a brisk pace. The film also touches on important themes such as identity, family, and loyalty, and offers a poignant commentary on the legacy of the Vietnam War and its impact on both American and Vietnamese communities.

The performances in Gleaming the Cube are excellent across the board. Slater delivers a nuanced and emotionally true portrayal of Brian, capturing the character's vulnerability, determination, and bravery with ease. Bauer is also strong as older brother Al, conveying a mix of toughness and empathy that makes his character feel authentic and relatable. And Herd is suitably menacing as Colonel Trac, creating a villain who is both merciless and corrupt.

Overall, Gleaming the Cube is a classic 1980s film that has stood the test of time. Its blend of action, drama, and skateboarding makes for a unique and exciting cinematic experience, while its message about the importance of justice and the value of family resonates just as strongly today as it did thirty years ago. Fans of Slater, skateboarding, and classic 80s movies should definitely give this one a watch.

Gleaming the Cube is a 1989 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 40.