Review: ‘Twister’ sweeps up a storm like a blockbuster whirlwind

directed by Lee Isaac Chung (to pain) and starring Glen PowellLift(Defender: Maverick) and Daisy Edgar Jones (fresh), “Twister” is one of the most anticipated blockbusters of the summer. Its predecessor was in 1996 tornado has gained cult status over the years, with its great special effects, fun action, and films from films such as bill paxton, Helen Hunt and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Many might say that this story has been begging for a sequel for years, with “Twister” being a long overdue sequel nearly 30 years later. As storm season intensifies, Twister follows Kate Carter (Edgar Jones) as she clashes with reckless social media superstar Taylor Owens (Powell). The pair and their competing teams find themselves in the path of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in a fight for survival. Adding all the ingredients needed to make a successful blockbuster, “Twisters” succeeds. The performances are brilliant, the visuals are jaw-dropping, the story is riveting, and the script is both funny and terrifying.

With all the love fans have for Twister, it’s clear that Twister has a huge gap to go, and it’s going to fall victim to comparisons no matter which way it’s taken. The team behind the film handled things deftly – it manages to stand on its own two feet while also offering a fun homage to the original that compliments it perfectly. Instead of guest stars and returning characters, “Twister” brings fresh blood to the audience and avoids plagiarizing the original story by adding its own themes and plots. That means it doesn’t feel like a remake of a remake, and oftentimes it doesn’t feel like a sequel – it’s just a fun movie set in the same storm-chasing world as the original. By doing this, it avoids feeling unnecessary and delivering on the same tropes as a traditional sequel. Twister fans will definitely enjoy these callbacks, as it features plenty of Wizard of Oz references (even Dorothy herself!), animals being sucked up into the sky, a bickering couple and a group of storm chasers The romance that was developing between them, which in reality was very different. There’s no denying that these are all the ingredients that made Twister such a hit, and it’s fun to see Twisters pay homage to the original and include them as well. However, by having its own cast and fresh ideas, it feels different enough to watch them side by side. It modernizes things a bit by including newer technology and social media streaming, which feels very timely and fits seamlessly into the narrative. The approach taken here is perfect for old fans and new fans alike.

After his breakout performance in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), Glen Powell has gone on to star in Anyone But You (2023) and the most recent Hitman (2023) A breakthrough performance has been the talk of the town for quite some time. Many even consider him a modern movie star. His performance in “Twister” definitely lived up to expectations and was a highlight of the cast. His character Tyler, similar to the Executioner in “Maverick,” is cheeky, cheerful, and starts out rather silly and arrogant until the layers gradually peel back as the film progresses, revealing a softer side. Powell, an internet personality who calls himself the “Tornado Wrangler,” plays every aspect of Taylor’s character with ease. He’s great at delivering charming comedy, and he’s equally good when the script calls for a little more nuance and emotion from him. Starring opposite Daisy Edgar-Jones, she is so talented. Kate is a rather complex character who has struggled with grief and anxiety after a tornado chase went horribly wrong in her youth. Edgar Jones gives an incredible, emotional performance and is very natural in allowing her character to gradually come out of her shell and regain some of her spark. The couple is believable at every turn. The supporting cast is admirable, with so many young up-and-comers. Sasha Lane (american honey), Kiernan Shipka (long legs), Anthony Ramos (“In the Heights”), Brandon Perea (No) and quasi-superhuman David Collenswaite These are just a few names compared to other actors and they are all great. Of course, the problem with having so much talent in one place is underutilizing it. Fans of the supporting cast may be disappointed by the lack of screen time for their favorite actors. One of the most famous victims was Katie O’BrienEarlier this year, he gave one of the best performances of the year in Ross Glass’s Love Lies Bleeding. There’s not much for her to do here.

Twister is a summer blockbuster, so its main purpose is to deliver fun. With plenty of action and plenty of charm and humor, it certainly delivers on that. The characters are dynamic and adventurous, especially Powell’s Taylor and his cronies, who are always a joy to watch whenever they’re on screen. Loud music, bull rides, car chases and lots of energy ensure everyone in the audience has a great time. The humor infused into the script is really spot on and there’s a lot of humor that makes it feel natural. Twister, on the other hand, is known for its tense scenes, creating many memorable tense moments. The stakes are extremely high, lives are lost, and our well-developed and enjoyable characters are often harmed. The storyline does a great job of balancing humor and levity with weather-induced terror, making for a whirlwind ride as its title suggests. The script is also much deeper than expected, exploring grief, guilt and the dangers posed by tornadoes in thoughtful ways. Our real focus is on helping those who have been devastated by tornadoes and lost their homes, possessions and even loved ones. It’s also about chasing something, whether it’s a storm, a girl, or your lifelong dream – it has a lot to say, and its message is so rich that it thoroughly explores every idea it presents.

One thing that Twister had to address before it could be considered a moderate success was its visuals, and luckily, it exceeded expectations. The trailer and title suggest the stakes are upped from the original, and it remains true to that promise. Featuring twin tornadoes, EF5s (the most violent tornadoes on the planet), and even a scorching fire tornado, it delivers satisfyingly nerve-wracking severe weather and looks great while doing so. The action scenes are shot extremely well, with the cinematography perfectly mimicking the fast-paced, dangerous nature of the scenes. It also pays attention to beautiful rural settings, putting the focus on beautiful green landscapes and often displaying them in all their glory for visual enjoyment. Another element that cannot be underestimated is the sound, which makes the tornado sequence even more sinister and terrifying. The howling winds and roar of falling hail can sometimes be more effective than the appearance of a tornado, and the team realizes this. Sound is used expertly when a tornado is close enough to pose a threat. The score and score are also admirable in terms of sound design. There’s a heavy focus on music, with the soundtrack featuring great tracks from the likes of Lainey Wilson, Conner Smith, and Luke Combs. The country music matches the tone and setting so well, creating such a cohesive and immersive viewing that you are completely immersed in Oklahoma. Director Lee Isaac Chung showed off his talents with 2020 Oscar front-runner Minari, easily proving that his talent can transfer from indie darling to blockbuster. He uses the techniques of visual storytelling, scene presentation, and character research to perfectly integrate them into the realm of the big screen.

“Twister” is a traditional sequel worth seeing in theaters. It entertains viewers with jaw-dropping action, chemistry-fuelled budding romance, high stakes and electrifying country music. It also adds a wealth of emotions, sentiments, important themes and resonant messages to ensure a lasting impression. It’s not perfect, as it underutilizes many of the talents it uses, resulting in a flimsy supporting cast, but for the most part, it’s a fun, thrilling adventure that’s perfect for the summer.

Review: ‘Twister’ sweeps up a storm like a blockbuster whirlwind