Hot people battle tornadoes in Twisters, a sequel to the 1990s hit that ups the body count, delivers plenty of windy action, and adds “s” to the title. A wind-roaring good time, Twisters is exactly the popcorn movie I was hoping for: competent, entertaining, and packed with destruction.
Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos star in the movie, which bears a lot of similarities to the 1996 Bill Paxton/Helen Hunt spectacle but thankfully deviates far enough into Oklahoma to feel fresh. Sure, the formula is similar–the lead character watches a loved one get sucked into a massive vortex (in fact, the opening sequence is brutally good), the team of tornado chasers are attempting to conduct questionable science experiments, and of course the climax involves an F5–but director Lee Isaac Chung and screenwriter Mark L. Smith use that formula to make something that stands apart.
For a mindless popcorn movie, the writing is surprisingly good; Kate, played by Edgar-Jones, is a fully fleshed out character, while Powell leans fully into his tornado cowboy role. The two have sizzling chemistry with one another, with Ramos playing an effective third wheel. There’s just enough depth to the characters and stories to make Twisters feel believable; it’s no Oscar-winner, but it’s no insult to the brain either.
Except for the science experiment that plays a key role in the climax. It’s stupid, and makes little sense.
That aside, Twisters has several strong set pieces that have people getting sucked away, buildings and barns getting obliterated, and trucks turning into airplanes. The visual effects are good, and Chung establishes a decent sense of suspense (even though you know the two leads are going to survive).
With a two-hour runtime, the second act sags ever so slightly’ Chung and Smith linger too long on a stretch involving Kate’s mom (Maura Tierney). The 1996 original was only 10 minutes shorter but felt tighter, a bit more fun. But the issues are minor and ultimately fleeting.
Twisters may not soar above its predecessor, but it comes close to achieving the same wind speed. Entertaining, destructive, straightforward, and well-written, this is the kind of blockbuster we don’t get much these days–fun but not stupid, simple but not insulting. Having hot stars doesn’t hurt either.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.