Twister [credit: Warner Bros/Universal Pictures]
Twisters was on many people’s list of the most anticipated films of the year, which is no surprise given the cast and crew. Big-budget disaster movies aren’t common in mainstream Hollywood these days, so the idea of ​​a modern-day reboot of Twister, while a bit odd and abrupt, seemed like a breath of fresh air in the world of superhero movies and silly action comedies. Everything about this project shows that the studio was serious about this and was committed to it.
Universal’s modern take on the classic is directed by Lee Isaac Chung and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, with a story by Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski and an all-star cast that includes Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, David Corenswet, Sasha Lane, Maura Tierney, Kiernan Shipka, Darryl McCormack, Katie O’Brien, and Brandon Perea. Basically, every young star with movie star potential is in this movie.
The film starts with a long action scene where the characters are introduced, including Daisy Edgar-Jones. The tornado scene sets the tone and anticipation for what is to come. It tries to start off with a bang, but it’s a bit shaky at first and relies on a lot of clichés. If you’ve seen a lot of blockbuster action or disaster movies, you’ll start to feel uneasy within the first 20 minutes, as some scenes feel half-baked and lackluster. However, once Daisy’s co-stars are introduced, the film really picks up steam.
I’m talking, of course, about the lesser known actor Glen Powell, whose screen presence is arguably stronger than anyone else in the industry right now. He plays a “tornado trainer” named Tyler Owens, whose character is just as cool as his name. But most importantly, he injects some much-needed energy into the script. Then it gets into the exposition, and the story gets a lot deeper than you’d expect. The characters are well-constructed, and you start to really care about each character.
Twister [credit: Warner Bros./Universal Pictures]
The film was shot in 35mm, which is perfect for the landscapes Isaac Chung is trying to capture. This is his second directorial effort and his first foray into big-budget blockbusters, but it shows in his style of playing it safe. He rarely takes bold steps or shows ambition in some scenes. Most of the action scenes are thrilling, and the tornado keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The visual effects are also commendable, justifying the huge budget.
The story is effective, but the writing is up and down at times, especially in the first half. Also, the music choices are a minus. The sound design is great, but the score and song choices are not so much. Some of the songs playing in the background were very distracting and didn’t fit at all. The film also doesn’t live up to the standard of brutality it sets very early on. It’s also a bit lacking in warmth and a bit of humor.
Twister Featuring charming performances from Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones, this movie succeeds in being a fun, thrilling blockbuster movie experience. The visual aesthetic is stunning, with a tornado scene that makes you feel like you’re at the center of the chaos. The cast is appealing and the characters are well-handled. It may lack warmth and ambition, but it’s an undeniably entertaining and exciting summer blockbuster. Definitely worth seeing in IMAX.
“Twisters” will be released in theaters on July 19th.
