Twisters: An airless sequel

Twisters: An airless sequel

As a devoted fan of the original “Twister” (1996) and a 90s kid with a deep appreciation for that era’s films, I was genuinely excited when I heard about the release of “Twisters.” Memories of my family movie night experiences watching Helen Hunt and Philip Seymour Hoffman in action flooded back. The nostalgia was real, and I couldn’t wait to see what this sequel had in store for us.


When I heard that “Twisters” was coming out, I didn’t think much of it. As a kid from the 90s, I recall watching the original “Twister” (1996) during a family movie night. It was an exhilarating experience for us all, and the film became a cult favorite. Moreover, I have fond memories of Helen Hunt and Philip Seymour Hoffman in the initial “Twister.” To add to that, I hold a special place in my heart for 90s movies as they evoke nostalgia and are dear to me.

As a devoted movie fan, I’ve noticed an uptick in sequels lately, which comes as no shock given the passionate fanbases they inherit from their predecessors. The box office success of the opening weekend for “Twisters” is just one example of how sequels continue to captivate audiences, even decades after the original films have been released. These movies add depth to storytelling, cultivate thriving franchises, and draw us back to the cinema with eager anticipation.

In the continuation of the initial film, titled “Twisters,” we encounter Kate, portrayed by Daisy Edgar-Jones. At the start of the story, she is an experienced tornado chaser with a groundbreaking theory. Her objective is to devise a method that can halt tornadoes and minimize their devastation. However, during a test run involving her friends and boyfriend, disaster strikes. The experiment results in fatalities, leaving Kate as the lone survivor. Flash forward to present day, an old acquaintance named Javi (Anthony Ramos) contacts Kate, asserting that he holds the solution to permanently eliminating tornadoes. He proposes a collaboration with Kate to make this aspiration a reality.

Based on Kate’s troubled history and her inner turmoil with survivor’s guilt, her emotions don’t come across strongly through her character in an engaging way. Furthermore, Kate’s personality lacks depth and complexity, leaving her underdeveloped for the lead role. She fails to captivate the audience with any distinctive traits or relatable qualities beyond being a tornado expert. Essentially, she is a one-dimensional character who feels flat and unremarkable on screen.

Glen Powell skillfully brings to life the annoying internet personality Tyler in the movie, but I had a hard time liking such a disagreeable character. Despite Powell’s impressive acting chops, Tyler’s exaggerated persona felt overwhelmingly out of place against Twisters’ underdeveloped script. This disparity is even more apparent when juxtaposed with other flat and one-dimensional characters in the storyline who lack depth and are given limited opportunities to shine.

As a passionate gamer, I can truly appreciate the acting skills of Powell and Edgar-Jones. But during the film, I was left feeling disappointed by the lackluster chemistry between Kate and Tyler. Their scenes together were monotonous and unengaging, leaving me longing for some excitement or authenticity in their romance. By the end of the movie, I found myself not caring if they ended up as a couple or not. Unfortunately, their romance succumbed to the overused trope of enemies-to-lovers. Despite their constant bickering, it failed to generate any real tension or intrigue for me.

Living in a town affected by tornadoes in “Twisters” left me exasperated, as a resident of Texas, a state prone to numerous tornadoes annually. I find the actions of the locals in the movie unrealistically frustrating. Contrary to their portrayal, people in real life understand the gravity of tornado warnings and take necessary precautions. In “Twisters,” characters seem oblivious to the danger and downplay the significance of these warnings. However, when Texans receive a warning for a tornado, we don’t dismiss it as mere inconvenience; instead, we seek shelter in secure areas, away from windows.

The power of “Twisters” lies in its impressive special effects, effectively transporting viewers into the heart of the action. For those seeking thrills and excitement with a dash of mindless entertainment, this film delivers on that front. However, it’s important to acknowledge its shortcomings – a lackluster plotline and shallow characters. If you can overlook these issues, Lee Isaac Chung’s disaster flick may still leave you satisfied through its visual spectacle alone. Nevertheless, in comparison to its more accomplished predecessor, “Twisters” falls short of delivering a truly memorable cinematic experience.

Rating: 2.5/5

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2024-07-23 19:14