Twisters, the much-anticipated stand-alone sequel to the 1996 hit Twister, delivers an exhilarating and immersive cinematic experience that will surely captivate audiences worldwide.
Directed by Lee Isaac Chung and featuring a stellar cast including Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos, Twisters offers a refreshing take on storm-chasing, blending nostalgia with modern storytelling techniques.
Daisy Edgar-Jones stars as Kate Cooper, a former storm chaser drawn back into the field by her colleague Javi, played by Anthony Ramos. Haunted by a tragic past encounter with a tornado, Kate joins forces with Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), a bold social media influencer who thrives on high-risk storm-chasing adventures. Think the Donald Trump of storm-chasing. Their mission: to test a groundbreaking new tracking and mitigation system amidst an onslaught of unprecedented tornadoes wreaking havoc across Oklahoma.
Edgar-Jones shines in her role, infusing her character with depth and emotional resonance yet subtle fragility unlike that of her predecessor Helen Hunt, who is sadly absent from the sequel. Edgar-Jones’ chemistry with Powell is palpable, adding a dynamic layer to the film. Powell, known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, delivers a charismatic performance that balances charm and intensity, making his character both likable, complex and undeniably captivating. The guy is a total stud.
Chung’s direction captures the raw power and beauty of tornadoes with stunning visual effects that elevate the film’s action sequences the surpass the original. The Award-winning Minari director also offers homages to scenes such as the Drive-In sequence in the original film. The storms are depicted in a manner that is both terrifying and awe-inspiring, transforming Twisters into a visual spectacle. Even the body count is higher. The film’s cinematography, paired with a thrilling score, enhances the immersive experience, drawing viewers deep into the chaotic world of storm-chasing and since none of these characters seemed tied to the previous cast, there’s a potential to make quite a few of these.
The storyline is both entertaining and compelling, with impressive special effects and strong performances from the cast. Meteorologists and general audiences alike will appreciate the technical prowess and entertainment value of Twisters, making it a (if not the) must-see summer blockbuster.
Twisters successfully blends the high-stakes excitement of storm-chasing with character-driven drama, creating a narrative that pays homage to its predecessor while establishing its own identity and setting the stage for follow-up films. With gripping action, emotional depth, and breathtaking visuals, Twisters stands out as a thrilling cinematic experience that is sure to captivate audiences. I hope they make five more just like it!
It’s films like Twisters that remind us why we love going to the movies.
Grade: B+