Gleaming the Cube (1989)

29% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(8,461 ratings)

Gleaming the Cube does for skateboarding what Over the Top did for arm wrestling -- i.e. not a hell of a lot. Christian Slater is the skateboarding star, playing Brian Kelly, a sneering and laconic teen outcast. He feels left out and envious of his adopted Vietnamese brother Vinh's (Art Chudabala)… More Gleaming the Cube does for skateboarding what Over the Top did for arm wrestling -- i.e. not a hell of a lot. Christian Slater is the skateboarding star, playing Brian Kelly, a sneering and laconic teen outcast. He feels left out and envious of his adopted Vietnamese brother Vinh's (Art Chudabala) success as an honor roll student and as the center of attention in his family. When Vinh commits suicide, Brian is suspicious and rolls away on his skateboard to find out what really happened -- and ultimately to avenge his murder. Brian's investigation is aided and abetted by a sardonic detective named Al Lucero (Steven Bauer), a collection of skateboard aficionados, and an incredibly attractive Vietnamese girl, Tina (Min Luong). ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Graeme Clifford
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jan 13, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Jun 1, 1999
Studio: Vestron Video

Critic Reviews

Clint Morris, Film Threat
A Cool blast from the past that encompasses as many sensational skating sequences as it does cinematic suspense
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Sucked then, sucks now.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Consider the cube duly gleamed.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A very exciting thriller with the best skateboarding chase scenes I've ever seen. Slater is fantastic in this movie, and so cute. I loved it.
xGary X

Dumb action thriller that tries to combine crime drama with skateboarding. Lacking in humour, and other than the preposterous title, completely forgettable.
Dean M

This skateboarding teen action picture has Christian Slater riding out - that sucks.
Burger S

This was an instant cult classic due to the cameo appearances of the most famous skaters in the world. As a film, it really doesn't stand on it's own. It's a great 80's nostalgia flick though.

Cast

            Christian Slater as Brian Kelly

            Steven Bauer as Al Lucero

            Min Luong as Tina Trac

            Art Chudabala as Vinh Kelly

            Le Tuan as Col. Trac

            Richard Herd as Ed Lawndale

            Kieu Chinh as Madame Trac

            Charles Cyphers as Harvey McGill

            Joe Gosha as Nick Oliver

            Tommy Guerrero as Sam

            Tony Hawk as Buddy

            Christian Jacobs as Grenig

            Natas Kaupas as Skater

            Peter Kwong as Bobby Nguyen

            Ed Lauter as Mr. Kelly

            Chi-Muoi Lo as Tough #1

            Micole Mercurio as Mrs. Kelly

            Angela Moya as Houskeeper

            F. William Parker as Motel Manager

            Max Perlich as Yabbo

            Jack Riley as Homeowner

            Rita Rudner as Mrs. Yabbo

            J. Jay Saunders as Medical Examiner

            Arsenio "Sonny" Trinidad as Other Nguyen

            Buddy Joe Hooker as Corvette Driver

            Eric Dressen as Skater

            Mike McGill as Skater

            Andy Nguyen as Tran Thanh

            Joshua Ravetch as Student Pilot

            Vien Hong as Tough #
See full cast