“Twisters,” a stand-alone sequel to Jan de Bont’s 1996 movie “Twister,” captured the hearts of many this summer. Despite its 122-minute runtime, the fast-paced, action-packed film draws viewers in from the start and keeps their heart rates elevated throughout. Alongside its thrilling sequences, the movie has traces of romance and comedy, which give depth to the characters as viewers watch them turn life-threatening weather into a competition.
Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, “Twisters” stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kate Carter, a meteorologist with a unique strength for detecting weather and a love for storm chasing. Traumatized from a past encounter with a tornado, Carter leaves her hometown of Sapulpa, Oklahoma and escapes to New York for a fresh start.
The beginning of the film focuses on young Carter’s trauma, setting the tone for the rest of the movie — suspenseful and nerve-wracking.
Carter’s plans are interrupted when Javi, an old friend played by Anthony Ramos, convinces her to return home to help him with his new business, Storm Par despite her last distressing tornado encounter that made her swear off storm chasing entirely.
Once back in Oklahoma, Carter crosses paths with Tyler Owens, played by Glen Powell, who makes a dramatic entrance in his modified Ram truck, surrounded by eager fans banging on the windows. Powell, born in Austin, Texas, fit Owens’s southern background perfectly.
Owens, the leader of a group of tornado chasers and self-proclaimed “Tornado Wrangler,” is a danger-seeking, confident character. Initially, Carter views him as an obnoxious amateur chaser whose crew rivals Storm Par and whom Javi dislikes. However, as Carter gets to know him better, she discovers that beneath his confident exterior, Owens is caring and hardworking, though this side takes a little time to shine through.
Throughout the movie, Carter’s old fears interfere with her work, forcing her to face her past. With the help of Owens, against Javi’s wishes, Carter slowly regains her confidence and joy, overcoming her past trauma.
While the tornados in “Twisters” aren’t real, when watching the movie, it truly feels like they are with the use of special effects, computer-generated imagery and skilled actors. Director Chung masterfully brings these storms to life with clips of the surrounding area being affected by the tornado. Truthfully, I was on the edge of my seat, nervously watching every minute of the movie.
Since its premiere July 19, the movie has grossed roughly £310 million worldwide and ranks among the top box office earners of 2024, according to Forbes. Furthermore, the film was shown in 4DX theaters, where seats mimicked the weather conditions in the movie and used vibration to replicate the characters’ experiences. Sadly, I could not see the film in 4DX. However, even without it, the movie was still captivating. Funnily enough, once I left the cinema it started raining horribly with lightning and thunder — maybe it had something to do with the film.
Furthermore, the soundtrack matched the film perfectly, blending country elements to enhance the Oklahoma setting while complimenting Owens’s crazy energy and Carter’s emotional journey. During Owens’s flashy entrance, “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” blasted through the cinema, making the scene even more flashy and eye-catching. The song flawlessly fits the film and makes it seem like you are there in real life. Much to the surprise of many fans, the “Twisters” cast even made a surprise appearance at one of singer Luke Combs’s concerts.
Without straying from the plot, screenplay writer Mark L. Smith made sure to include the damage from tornadoes in nearby towns. The insights helped not only bring the tornado to life but also shed light on what so many people are forced to suffer through. I won’t forget the bitter feeling I got watching people’s reactions to their destroyed homes.
Overall, it was clear that this film was more than just an action-packed movie; it was also heartwarming with an unexpected ending. The movie not only showed the dangers of tornadoes but also captured the aftermath — the damage that follows tornadoes and the suffering of towns affected leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.
