Twisters Review - An Amusing Romp That Won't Make You Think Too Hard

As a huge fan of the original Twister from the ’90s, I was excited to see the modern take on this classic weather-oriented blockbuster. With 30 years of technological advancements and climate change becoming a pressing issue, I expected an updated version that would deliver not just thrills but also some meaningful commentary.

The classic film “Twister” from the 1990s is often compared to other blockbuster hits such as “Independence Day” and “Armageddon.” Although a tornado may appear less exciting in comparison, “Twister” managed to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. With the passing of three decades, there are numerous possibilities for revamping this weather-themed movie for contemporary viewers, especially considering the growing concern over man-made climate change. However, “Twister” opts for a simple and direct approach in its update – it maintains the essential elements of the original storyline while modernizing certain aspects.

I’ve seen my fair share of movies in my life, some that left me speechless, some that made me laugh until it hurt, and others that just didn’t leave much of an impression. This movie I recently watched falls into the last category for me.

Following the same format as its predecessor, Twisters begins with a calamity. The protagonist, Kate portrayed by Daisy Edgar-Jones, devises a strategy to neutralize tornadoes using diaper polymers which absorb storm moisture. She intends to test this method on a minor EF1 tornado. However, her plan goes awry when the tornado unexpectedly escalates into an immense and destructive EF5 twister. The consequences are dire.

Five years have passed, and Kate now resides in New York, abandoning her previous ambitions. However, her longtime friend Javi (Anthony Ramos), the lone survivor from the prologue, persuades her to revisit tornado-prone areas, specifically Oklahoma. Their purpose: utilizing advanced portable radars to monitor an active tornado, reminiscent of Dorothy’s role in the original movie. A surprising turn of events reveals that Javi has become a corporate executive, boasting wealthy backers. As Kate and Javi embark on their mission, they encounter a group of storm-chasing YouTubers, led by Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), who stir up a friendly competition. Despite his charming and attractive demeanor, Tyler is kind-hearted and brilliant, far from being shallow. While the portrayal may be a clichéd trope, Powell delivers an enjoyable performance.

Twisters Review - An Amusing Romp That Won't Make You Think Too Hard

In this story, the characters are reminiscent of those from Twister, but their situations have been blended together in an effective way, especially when it comes to the corporate theme. While Cary Elwes portrayed a questionable character in the original film, his villainous actions were mainly limited to being unpleasant to the leads. However, in this adaptation, the corporate antagonist is a land developer who uses Javi’s company to acquire land devastated by storms at low prices. Having experienced this very scenario after surviving one of history’s most expensive tornadoes, I found this aspect particularly compelling.

I’ve found Twisters to be particularly captivating on a deeply personal level. Through the depiction of around six tornadoes, this movie beautifully conveys the assortment of feelings associated with being in or near such storms, not forgetting the challenges that come with their aftermath. Kudos to Lee Isaac Chung for bringing this experience to life so authentically. Having grown up in Arkansas, he’s intimately familiar with these events, and it shows in his direction.

“We’ve never seen storms like this!” However, with no explanation given for these unprecedented weather events, such dialogue seems inconsistent and leaves a hollow feeling as if crucial references to climate change were excised from the final cut.

Luckily, Twisters boasts an engaging cast with effortless charm. Edgar-Jones radiates charisma and pleasance, while Powell exudes movie-star allure. Ramos consistently delivers a raw, human emotion that makes his portrayal genuinely relatable–he’s Hamilton’s finest export. The trio of these talented actors is crucial to Twisters’ success; without their strong performances, the film might have failed to resonate.

In its current form, Twisters offers exciting action scenes, an enjoyable main cast, and a convincing portrayal of being caught up in bizarre weather conditions. Frankly, these elements should be sufficient for me – I genuinely enjoyed the film. However, it’s unrealistic to create a disaster movie centered around weather in 2024 without addressing climate change. Ignoring this crucial issue would seem outdated and implausible.

2024-07-18 22:39

Twisters Review – An Amusing Romp That Won’t Make You Think Too Hard

Read More

Minority Mindset