‘Twisters’ movie review from someone who grew up in Tornado Alley
The new follow-up to Universal’s 1996 disaster movie is a near-perfect summer blockbuster that will blow you away. Here’s our “Twisters” movie review.
By Banks Lee
Movie review: ‘Twisters’ will blow you away
I was 10 years old when the original “Twister” was released in theaters in May of 1996. Growing up in the southern part of what is called Tornado Alley just about 30 miles from the Oklahoma border, I had a real fear of what the weather could do. But something about that movie, from the thrill of watching tornadoes tear across Oklahoma to watching this team of storm chasers get as close as they could to better understand nature’s fury, ignited a fascination and love for Mother Nature that I still have to this day.
Now, nearly three decades later, the long-awaited sequel “Twisters” hits theaters on July 19, 2024, promising to ignite that same excitement and wonder for a whole new generation.
‘Twisters’ is what summer blockbusters are made for
As someone who has seen “Twister” countless times and considers it their favorite film of all time, I was so excited to be invited to an advance screening of “Twisters” thanks to Attractions Magazine, and let me tell you it is a near-perfect next chapter in the storytelling set by the original. “Twisters” is what summer blockbusters are made for!
There’s a reason Universal Pictures went for a plural title instead of adding the number “2,” as there are tornadoes galore in this one. Industrial Light & Magic, the special-effects company that created the tornadoes for the first film, returned and perfectly captured the complexities and different ways a tornado can look and behave.
While the effects from 1996 do still hold up when watching the original film today, back then we as an audience did not really have a detailed idea of how real tornadoes looked and behaved. All we had to go on were either real-life encounters or low-quality videos on Weather Channel. These days, thanks to the internet, storm chasers all over have been documenting in great detail all the ways a tornado can develop, behave, destroy, etc. Therefore, the effects in “Twisters” had a lot to live up to, and I loved seeing the different styles from rain-wrapped vortices to low-precipitation beauties and nighttime monsters. The visuals are absolutely stunning, with tornadoes ripping through landscapes in a way that feels both terrifyingly real and mesmerizingly beautiful.
More damage and destruction than the original
From the very first scene, “Twisters” grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. “Twister” has such an iconic opening scene that I still think about to this day. This new film takes that and ups the stakes and danger, making you wonder if anyone in this film is safe from “the suck zone.” While the original mainly places its tornadoes out in open fields with only the town of Wakita and a drive-in movie theater taking a hit, “Twisters” focuses a lot more on the impact on these small communities throughout Oklahoma. The new film ups the damage and destruction felt, while also highlighting the altruism of the characters and citizens both in the path and wake of these storm systems.
The characters in “Twisters” are compelling and well-developed, each with their own motivations and personal journeys. The cast delivers strong performances, bringing depth and emotion to their roles that make you truly care about what happens to them. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell were destined to be in a film together. Their chemistry is off the charts here, making you fall in love with them almost immediately.
In “Twister,” it’s easy to know which storm-chasing team to root for. (“They’re in it for the money, not the science.”) One of the story aspects I loved about “Twisters” is that it’s not that easy this go-around. You will at some point question which team of storm chasers has their best interests at heart, but to say more will spoil it.
‘Twisters’ was shot on film
“Twisters” was beautifully shot of 35mm film, showcasing the vastness of Oklahoma’s landscapes and making me want to book a trip back home to see it all in person again. The filmmakers also clearly did their weather homework, depicting the science behind these storms and tornado formations with as much accuracy as they could. It’s clear that a lot of care went into making this movie as realistic and thrilling as possible, while also throwing in a bit of Hollywood fun. The art of storm chasing has evolved a lot in the past 30 years. I love the inclusion of amateur storm chasers and tours, which are a regular occurrence all around Tornado Alley.
Where the score falls flat, the soundtrack picks it up
They only aspect of “Twisters” that disappoints me is the score by Benjamin Wallfisch. Mark Mancina’s score for “Twister” is iconic and is one of my top five favorite film scores. While Wallfisch’s score does its job for the scenes you hear them in, I just would have loved to hear the themes I know and love from this world, even if they were only sprinkled about here and there.
Where the score falls flat, the soundtrack picks it up and made me fall back in love with country music. I enjoyed that the filmmakers hired various country music artists to write all-new original songs for this film, using the songs in varying degrees from action scenes to heartfelt moments. While I do love this soundtrack and use of country music, I still miss the excitement and energy of Van Halen from the original with both “Humans Being” and “Respect the Wind.”
‘Twisters’ movie review final thoughts
Overall, “Twisters” is a gripping roller coaster of a film that will leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. This movie has to be seen on the big screen and is a true return to form for the summer blockbuster. Whether you’re a fan of disaster movies or just looking for an adrenaline rush, “Twisters” delivers. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves a good action-packed adventure with heart. I cannot wait to take my daughter to see this film. Like me with the original, she is 10 years old when this new film is released, a moment that is as full of a circle as the tornadoes depicted.
‘Twister’ in theme parks
The original “Twister” had a major presence in Orlando with its own attraction at Universal Studios Florida from 1998 until 2015. It was replaced by Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon.
While “Twisters” is not currently represented in Universal parks, the original does have a small moment in the new “CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular” nighttime show, plus a small reference inside the Summer Tribute Store, both also at Universal Studios Florida.
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Hi Banks, we love your front row Twister cameo in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! A classic.