'Twisters' Review: Summer Fun Has Finally Begun
Tornadoes are set to tear up the silver screen yet again in Twisters, a sequel that lovingly pays homage to its predecessor while carving its own unique, highly entertaining path.
Twisters centers on a retired tornado-chaser (Daisy Edgar Jones) who returns to her hometown in Oklahoma to work with a brand new team and pieces of advanced equipment as a tornado outbreak wreaks havoc in the state. The sequel boasts an impressive cast, including rising star Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, David Corenswet, and Maura Tierney. Fortunately, these talented cast members not only look like they’re having a blast, but their talents are far from wasted.
The follow-up is helmed by Lee Isaac Chung, director of the critical darling Minari, an inspired choice for the blockbuster film. His independent background lends well to the tender, character-driven scenes, giving proper focus to our central characters and establishing an emotional through line for the film with ease and care. Chung also acclimates well to this big budget playground, crafting tornado sequences with stunning VFX that are not only visceral, beautifully shot and well-staged, but give the original’s most iconic scenes a run for their money. Fans of the original film and franchise initiates will find plenty of summer entertainment in this sequel, especially the third act which is an absolutely stunning display of blockbuster filmmaking.
The cast is also fantastic here, Powell continuing to ooze charisma from every pore in his body and showcasing his confident, assured star power while Edgar Jones provides the emotional anchor for the film, handling the heavier moments effortlessly. The two have palpable chemistry throughout the film, echoing the dynamic pairing of Helen Hunt and the late Bill Paxton in the original film. These leads make for a delightful, emotionally compelling pair to root for as the tornado destruction rears its ugly head. The supporting cast fairs well too, particularly Ramos who makes the most of his sizable role, the inner battle between good and evil within his character becoming one of the film’s most compelling plot points.
The film is far more focused on distinguishing itself from the original than paying homage to it, a smart move. Instead of throwing out countless references and visual nods to the original film, the script focuses on a brand new story that delivers the most winning elements of the first film while throwing some new ingredients into the mix, resulting in a sequel that is far more compelling than it has any right to be. The film also takes familiar elements from its predecessor and flips them on their head, playing with audience expectations and shaking up the Twister formula in a much-needed way.
However, this blockbuster isn’t without its fair share of setbacks. First and foremost, this is a highly predictable film from the outset, never taking any tantalizing narrative left turns or veering up the tried and true path to win over fans of the first film. Also, though the supporting characters are considerably fun to watch on screen, many of them are underutilized or fleshed out, Brendan Parea and Katy O’Brian’s colorful storm chasers serving as prime examples. Finally, there are several scenes that unfortunately come across as either much too long or overtly cliche, inducing eye-rolls more so than wide-eyed grins.
Twisters, despite its flaws, hits the summer blockbuster sweet spot, delivering the big budget thrills and emotional punch that audiences clamor for this time of year. Disaster films aren’t hitting theaters nearly as much as they used to, but this sequel makes a strong case for why they should have a strong resurgence. Simply put, audiences should grab some popcorn, firmly strap themselves in, and be prepared for one of the most wildly entertaining films of the summer.