By Lynn Venhaus
The manufactured mayhem of “Twisters” may check off all the boxes for an entertaining summer blockbuster, but its unremarkable storyline neutralizes the visually stunning weather-induced shock and awe.
While the film showcases state-of-the-art modern technology, both in digital effects and severe weather tracking tools, this retread doesn’t feel new or fresh, but rather repetitive in its brutal storm depictions.
After all, dealing with dangerous weather patterns has become a routine part of real life in the Midwest in the 21st century. Case in point: our current summer.
So, what distinguishes this from a Weather Channel special report? This second go-round, loosely based on the 1996 disaster epic “Twister,” is super-sized in fury and look, and the mostly rural setting feels like a theme park meets “The Amazing Race,” stoking frantic chase scenes on a grander scale.
Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Kate Cooper, a retired tornado-chaser and brainiac meteorologist who is persuaded to return to Oklahoma to work with a new team and new technologies during a once-in-a-generational series of terrifying storm systems. She encounters swaggering social-media star Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) heading a team of hotshots. Will sparks fly or fizzle, and will they save anyone but themselves?
Debris flies, and people are flung like the Wicked Witch of the East. The visual effects and stunt work are impeccable, and a collapsing water tower, explosions at a massive oil refinery, and destruction of a movie theater exemplify the ‘go-big’ playbook.
The alarming sudden onset of extreme weather is emphasized in multiple scenes, such as a carnival atmosphere turning deadly with little warning. Interestingly though, the phrase “climate change” is never uttered but looms large in our minds.
Simply stated, no, this ‘sequel’ is not as good as the 1996 original, which endeared itself to countless millennials for its ground-breaking digital effects (a flying cow!) and its revered lightning-rod cast of Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, Cary Elwes, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Lois Smith, Jamie Gertz, Alan Ruck and other familiar ‘90s faces at a far more cinematically adventurous time.
In retrospect, the first one wasn’t anything more than a popcorn-type thrill ride, and cheesy at that, but there remains great affection for this ragtag group of adrenaline junkies because they were a fun bunch to watch – and were doing something different. Adding to the poignancy is that beloved Paxton and Hoffman are no longer alive.
The twist? The monster wasn’t a colossus like a T. Rex or Godzilla, but Mother Nature – and just as scary.
The original’s daredevil director was Jan de Bont, fresh from making the riveting action film “Speed” in 1994. Its tech-talk-rekindles-romantic-sparks screenplay was written by Michael Crichton and his then-wife Anne-Marie Martin. He was on a roll after his “Jurassic Park” novel was adapted by Steven Spielberg in 1993. (Spielberg is executive producer of both “Twister” and “Twisters,” by the way.)
While one can wonder why a sequel pops up 28 years later, this “Twisters” is similar because characters are based on fired-up storm chasers and Oklahoma is again the Tornado Alley center of dangerous activity. Oh, an apparatus named Dorothy is in both.
This time, the project is helmed by Lee Isaac Chung, a surprising choice after his 2020 gentle, intimate semi-autobiographical film “Minari,” but he does know how to tug heartstrings. He competently handles the powerful dustups on the Plains and the propulsive action but is saddled with a formulaic script.
After scoring big with the epic “The Revenant” screenplay, Mark L. Smith penned the George Clooney duds “The Boys on the Boat” and “The Midnight Sky.” He is unsurprising here, both in action and interpersonal relationships, from a story by Joseph Kosinski, director of “Top Gun: Maverick.”
(I mean, really, a skittish fish-out-of-water British journalist tagging along with a crew of quirky influencers? That’s a tired character.)
Wisely, though, the lead role is a whip-smart female scientist, who is introduced as a bright-eyed college student brimming with brilliant ideas, an uncanny knack at sizing up impending storm shifts, and a fearless save-the-world bravado. Yay for STEM girls!
The film’s best scene is a harrowing account of her spirited team’s encounter with an F5 tornado that she misread as an F1 earlier as they tried out her theory on dissipating its strength. That tragic result set the tone for the obstacles ahead.
Her life’s plans altered, it’s five years later, and she is a meteorologist- analyst for the National Weather Service in New York City, sad-eyed and deflated.
Old friend and fellow guilt-ridden survivor Javi (Anthony Ramos) pleads with her to join his corporate-funded team back home. It’s the height of a troubling storm season, and he’s trying to implement new radar hardware he devised.
With some trepidation and heavy emotional baggage, Kate returns, although she can’t forecast that this time she’ll renew her life’s purpose. You do root for her success.
Edgar-Jones, an appealing actress best known for “Where the Crawdads Sing,” and BAFTA-nominated for the TV show “Normal People” opposite Paul Mescal, shows off spunk and verve with a very obnoxious guy getting under her skin and in her way. That would be newly anointed heartthrob Powell.
Spoiler alert: They’ve met their match, but they don’t know it yet.
Charming It-guy Powell knows his lane, and fits the modern image of a smiling happy-go-lucky movie star. He doesn’t stray from the formula that got him to headline status. Cowboy scientist? Sure, why not? Throw in rodeo background and computer skills.
He is at his most annoying early on as a You Tube sensation, showboating as a “Tornado Wrangler” and leading a motley crew of fame-obsessed whooping and hollering trackers.
The real serious scientists ‘tsk-tsk’ the reckless hobbyists, and the city girl vs. the celebrity clown showdown is on, with lots of zingers being fired.
Turns out he isn’t what he appears to be, and neither is anyone else – although you might feel deja vu. Future “Superman” David Corenswet looks like a no-nonsense guy as Javi’s wingman Scott — and a lot like Elwes’ Dr. Jonas Miller. Brandon Perea is trying to be kookier as the videographer Boone than Hoffman’s Dusty. As Kate’s mom Cathy, Maura Tierney assumes the Aunt Meg role played by Smith.
As the competition intensifies between the groups, battle lines become blurred as the focus shifts to helping devastated victims. Sasha Lane is a kind drone operator, Lily. Katy O’Brian and Tunde Adebimpe are part of hotdoggers’ squad.
Powell’s cockiness conveniently melts away as a more compassionate do-gooder emerges. At this point, is anybody paying attention to the science theories or personal motives as trucks bearing heavy equipment speed through country roads while a who’s who of country music blares above the sirens?
Impressive artisans excel on an enormous canvas – cinematographer Dan Mischel, whose credits include the Star Wars’ reboots “The Force Awakens” and “The Rise of Skywalker,” editor Terilyn A. Shropshire, production designer Patrick M. Sullivan Jr. and composer Benjamin Wallfisch.
Noteworthy is a cameo by James Paxton, the late Bill Paxton’s son. His father will be forever remembered as TV weatherman Bill Harding and he plays an aggravated customer complaining just before cyclone chaos is about to erupt.
Early work by Daryl McCormack as Kate’s boyfriend Jeb, and Kiernan Shipka and Nik Dodani as pals Addy and Praveen is also memorable.
A special shout-out to Waterloo, Ill.’s own Alexandra Kay, a country singer who is featured on the Jelly Roll song “Leave the Light On,” which is a part of the soundtrack including such heavy hitters as Lainey Wilson, Zach Bryan, Luke Combs and others.
“Twisters” will satisfy audiences who want to be swept away like retro summer blockbusters once achieved, without the pesky environmental messages and science lessons. However, those looking for more than imitation, with some discernible gumption, will have to be content with a pleasant-enough engaging cast and fear-inducing stormy weather.
“Twisters” is a 2024 action-adventure directed by Lee Isaac Chung and starring Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos, Maura Tierney, David Corenswet, Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane, Tunde Adebimpe, Katy O’Brian and Harry Hadon-Patton. It is rated PG-13 for intense action and peril, some language and injury images, and run time is 2 hours and 2 minutes. It opened in theatres July 19. Lynn’s Grade: C+
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
