'Twisters' review: The epitome of a big, dumb, silly and fun summer blockbuster
Courtesy of Universal
A whirlwind of thrills, superstar charisma, and unholy special effects, “Twisters” is the exact definition of what a summer blockbuster is supposed to be. Though obviously an extension of the 1996 commercial hit, “Twister,” “Twisters“ carves out a chapter in its own playbook, a legacy sequel that doesn’t feature any of the original cast or storylines (except for a cameo by storm tracker system Dorothy), but a spiritual successor that enhances what came before. What “Twisters” may lack in star power, more than makes up for in a plethora of special effects wizardry that, quite frankly, didn’t exist almost three decades ago despite “Twister” being seen as groundbreaking. The tornado sequences constructed here are a case study in how to wisely put every single dollar on the silver screen.
Written by Mark L. Smith, with a story credit from “Top Gun: Maverick” scribe Joseph Kosinski and directed by indie darling Lee Issac Chung, “Twisters” is neither a reboot or a remake, it just exists as a guide to the next generation of young and hungry storm chasers trying to save lives (or make a quick buck) in the 21st century. As any good blockbuster does, “Twisters” understands it’s a cheese ball fest and the stakes are goofy and silly (and features hilariously over-the-top one liners like: “This theater wasn’t built to withstand what’s coming!”). But Chung, the latest filmmaker to make the leap from smaller, character driven films a la “Minari'' to big, giant pictures, brings a grounded approach to the storytelling. He shot on 35mm and embedded in the film as many practical effects as could be allowed for a movie whose biggest star (no offense Glen Powell) are the disaster elements.
Chung, who grew up in tornado alley Oklahoma, brings that knowledge and appreciation to “Twisters,” where we follow Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones), who is a clairvoyant when it comes to weather patterns, trying to forge ahead in her career path as a national weather service advisor in New York City five years removed from when a massive miscalculation saw her closest friends get sucked up into an F5 behemoth.
Her old classmate and friend Javi (Anthony Ramos) talks her into coming out of tornado chasing retirement to help lead a new scientific expedition. He’s stumbled upon some gadgets that, when linked up perfectly, can triangulate a realistic 3D model of a tornado, which can alter weather science forever. Before we know it, she’s back in the heartland, chasing down mother nature’s ugly side and the action seldomly lets up.
Especially as we meet Tyler Owens (Powell - in another charming, commanding lead role following this summer’s “Hit Man”) who could be described as the crossbred of Pat McAfee and Johnny Knoxville (if they chased tornados). Tyler is a YouTuber with a large following and goes by the nickname “tornado wrangler” and though he’s a big redneck at heart, with his crew lighting off fireworks and live streaming their exploits like a bunch of imbeciles, he still has an appreciation for the art of studying tornadoes and, obviously, takes an immediate liking to Kate.
Their journey leads them down similar tornado chasing paths and the chemistry between Jones and Powell has enough fodder to keep the human elements intriguing amid all the chaos and destruction (of which there’s plenty). And that’s not shocking coming from a gifted filmmaker like Chung, who has led actors to Oscar glory. Sure, the screenplay here is absolutely ridiculous (it’s always funny when a movie employs a character whose only purpose is to ask questions, so it can then be spoon fed to the audience) and requires a certain level of “screw it” energy, but the characterization remains strong and the subtle love-triangle between Javi-Tyler-and-Kate works on their strengths and resilience.
Powell is the man of the moment, perfectly calculating his career path as his stock has only risen since “Top Gun: Maverick” (lest we forget the true die-hards who were on the bandwagon during his “Scream Queens” tenure and scene-stealing performance in “Everybody Wants Some!!!”). Jones doesn’t always hit those somber, emotional notes when the script calls for it, but considering the type of movie we’re watching, you can almost let it slide.
“Twisters” is a nice bookend in what has been a so-so summer movie going season and a tasteful reminder of what giant spectacles on the big screen used to be made of. Chung packs this thing with an arsenal of exhilarating sequences that rivals the original in terms of sheer audacity (it does for rodeos what the original did for drive-ins). It’s bigger, louder, and more obnoxious, and it all builds to what characters in the movie refer to as the “storm of the century.” Preposterous as 95% of this movie is, “Twisters” is coming at just the right time to deliver a mindless escape into the world of movies. Don’t be afraid to get sucked right in.
Grade: B+
TWISTERS is now playing in theaters.
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