Cube 2: Hypercube - Reasonable horror sequel

Sequels generally have a bad reputation for not living up to the originals and, especially in horror movies, it tends to be almost unheard of.  I'm certainly not saying that 'Cube 2: Hypercube' is as good as its predecessor.  The first one was tight, had good special effects/sets and, above all a unique premise.  The next installment tries its best to hit all the beats and, for the most parts, it succeeds enough to at least warrant a watch.

Once again, a handful of strangers wake up in a mysterious cube (or rather giant cube made up of hundreds of interlinking smaller room-cubes.  And, just like before, there are plenty of traps and hidden dangers to hamper any escape efforts they try to make.  In other words... the producers really didn't try to stray far from what worked the first time when it came to plot.

I mentioned earlier how the first movie had good sets.  The 'set' was basically the same room, only in different shades of colours.  It was dark, sinister and gave a real sense of claustrophobia.  The second time round, the rooms aren't different colours and it's now all much brighter.  I guess this is due to the 'rules of the game/film' slightly changing as to what the cube is and its various powers.  Whereas the first film dealt more 'physical' threats/traps, the sequel goes for a more 'technological' feel.  So, although I understand the need for a change of scenery, it does mean that the film loses the dark, dingy feel.

Also, when it comes to special effects the same can be said.  The first story required a lot more 'practical' effects and models whereas 'Hypercube' uses computer-generated imagery.  Now, neither of these films have a particularly high budget, therefore the CGI is actually pretty poor and is similar to something you may have seen on TV in a very early episode of 'Dr Who.'

Then you have the characters.  If you have seen the first one then you'll recognise what are - effectively - the same character (types!) repeated again.  I realise the film-makers kind of knew that they were deliberately copying their own template, but I'm guessing the 'in-movie logic' can explain this based on the type of people/victims the powers that be select to be placed inside one of these cube-prisons.

Reading back what I've already written about 'Cube 2: Hypercube' I can't help but feel like I've been a bit negative towards it.  However, the strange thing is, even though I know it's definitely less of a film that the first, I do quite enjoy it.  There's just enough explanation surrounding what's happening to give this film a completely different feel and there are some moments in there that I'm guessing most people won't see coming.

In summary, if you're ever going to watch a 'Cube' movie, definitely go for the first.  However, if you enjoyed that and are aware that horror sequels normally fall a little short of what you originally enjoyed, you could do worse than retreading old ground in a slightly new way.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that