by Heath Lynch, Contributing Writer
What is it Nicole Kidman has told us? We come to this place for magic? To laugh, cry, and care? Dazzling images on a huge silver screen, sound you can feel, heroes that feel like the best part of us? Yeah… you’re right, Nicole. Heartbreak does feel good in a place like this. At least, it does when you’re watching a movie that’s firing on all cylinders, such as a huge summer blockbuster. Luckily, we now have Twisters, and there hasn’t been a summer blockbuster to remind us of our love for big spectacle movies like this in years!
In many ways, it’s shocking this film was even made. Sure, legacy sequels are a big thing these days, and the 1996 Twister was a box office success, but I’m not sure how many people were clamoring for a sequel to a nearly 30-year-old camp classic. Especially when you consider that Bill Paxton and Philip Seymour Hoffman have tragically passed away in real life, and Cary Elwes’ Dr. Jonas Miller was killed off in the original, so none of them can return. And as much as I love Alan Ruck, he’s exactly not bringin’ people through the turnstiles. Sorry, Alan, for the undeserved shade. The only realistic option to return for a decades-in-the-making sequel would be Helen Hunt. However, seeing as Helen had previously approached Universal to write and direct a Twister sequel herself, but her ideas were rejected, you have to assume bad blood is keeping her away from this new project.
So an entirely new movie, with a new cast, was made. And against all odds, it’s terrific! Although Twisters is technically a sequel, you’d be forgiven for thinking it is a remake, due to its sharing a nearly identical story to its predecessor. But when story is not your main focus, because thrills and entertainment come first and foremost, this is a qualm that can be largely overlooked. Especially because Twisters goes the Top Gun: Maverick route. While this may be the same story, and debates may rage as to whether or not it is a sequel or a remake, what I would say is, who cares? Because Twisters is a better film than the original Twister in every conceivable way.
Yes, that’s right, this is the story of two different groups of storm chasers. Diametrically opposed in their styles, scientific interests, and brash personas, but ultimately competing… for something. Seriously, why can’t two different groups study tornadoes at the same time? I digress… What makes this story feel fresh, though, even if it contains the same plot points as before, is the subversion of the two groups of people, and the charming personalities on display by the actors. Seeing the rough-around-the-edges, unsponsored, quirky personality group as the adversaries (to start) this time around, where we’re following the well-financed, scientific genius characters, is exciting. We’re not on Team Bill Paxton, we’re on Team Cary Elwes. For a moment at least. It’s intricacies like this, even if they’re overly foreshadowed and entirely predictable, that make things fun.
Once you take into account Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Anthony Ramos, Twisters really gets moving. Powell is undeniably the greatest pull this movie has going for it. Although he may not be the lead, you will wish that he was, because you will miss him every second that he’s not on the screen. The charisma he’s displaying is off the charts. There’s so much gusto, character, and energy behind everything he’s saying, whether he’s being over-the-top and bombastic, or more empathic and emotionally charged. In all sincerity, we might be seeing the rebirth of the movie star in Powell. The kind of larger-than-life performer where people go out of their way to travel to the theater just to see their new movie. In a cinema landscape where established IP is king, I wouldn’t be shocked if Powell breaks the glass ceiling that’s been above actors seemingly since Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks in the ‘90s.
Beyond Powell, Edgar-Jones is actually tremendous as the emotional core and narrative through line of the film. Watching her journey, especially as her character goes through personal challenges around survivor’s guilt and overcoming trauma, is incredibly compelling. You see and believe the true sorrow and joy she experiences, and it’s great. Ramos does a good job as well, especially as he struggles through internal conflict regarding personal desires that are morally righteous, while being backed by immoral corporate money. Even beyond his narrative arc, Ramos adds fire to the script with his humor and passion. Plus, you also have other fun performances from Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane, Kiernan Shipka, Tunde Adebimpe, Katy O’Brian, and David Corenswet, who add flavor to the ensemble, and evoke the campy fervor of the original film.
If you weren’t on board already for the story, the characters, and the performances (hint: You should be), then the absolutely impeccable summer blockbuster thrills should be the hook that reels you in. Frankly, this is the exact type of movie we need more of. If Hollywood made half a dozen to 10 films like this every year, and audiences were retrained to expect quality of this nature, the industry could flourish. There would never be another article about how movie theaters are dying. Twisters is funny, quotable, packed with awesome visual effects and thrills, and definitely rewatchable. Hell, the opening sequence is more intense and scary regarding its representation of tornadoes as a horrifying force of nature than the entirety of the original Twister. That’s before even getting into a fire cylinder, twin tornadoes, and a truly riveting finale that will knock your socks off. Prepare to grip the edge of your seat, because this movie has all the thrills you’d ever need to spike your heart rate.
Twisters is a capital S, capital B, Summer Blockbuster. A blast and a half. It’s packed with fun characters, good jokes, a familiar but fun story, a surprising romance that works, and some intense thrills that will shake you (if the sound design doesn’t already!). I loved everything about this flick, and all I want to do is watch it again.
Rating: Loved It
Twisters is currently playing in theaters
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