Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung | Written by: Joseph Kosinski and Mark L. Smith

The original Twister (1996) was a whirlwind of a disaster film that captivated audiences with its groundbreaking special effects and heart-pounding storm-chasing action. So, when news broke that a sequel, Twisters, was on the horizon, the internet buzzed with excitement and curiosity. Could this new film recapture the magic of the original while bringing something fresh to the table? Directed by Lee Isaac Chung and featuring a new generation of storm chasers, Twisters promises a mix of old and new. But does it deliver? Let’s find out.

Now here comes the spoilers…
Twisters picks up decades after the events of the original, focusing on a new team of storm chasers led by Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones). Kate and her team are determined to test her theory that barrels of sodium polyacrylate beads can reduce the intensity of a tornado in hopes of securing funding to do further research. When their team is caught in the middle of a tornado as it becomes an EF5 (Strongest tornado rating), all of her team is killed, but Kate and one other survivor, Javi (Anthony Ramos). The film then jumps to the present day, where we see Kate working in New York for the NOAA office. Javi comes to visit her, and as they are catching up, he reveals he has a tornado-scanning radar system and needs Kate to help them chase tornados to finish the work. At first, she declines, but reluctantly, she goes with him with the knowledge she will be helping towns and saving people’s lives.

I personally wanted this film to have a stronger connection to the original. Kate could of easily been the daughter of Dr. Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) and Bill Harding (Bill Paxton). Of course, with Bill Paxton’s passing in 2017, we couldn’t bring his character back, but they could’ve paid homage to him in this film. Adding in his character’s death and Kate trying to define herself outside of her mother’s shadow would have added a tremendous amount of emotional depth to this film aside from just Kate’s fear, and could have really brought both films together if Helen Hunt had reprised her role. It’s just a major missed opportunity here.

Daisy Edgar-Jones leads the cast with a strong performance as Kate, capturing both her determination and vulnerability. Her chemistry with the rest of the ensemble is solid, particularly with Glen Powell’s charismatic and slightly reckless storm chaser, Tyler. Tyler literally steals the show with his online streaming persona and reckless, adrenaline-fueled crew of misfits. Glen Powell has had one hell of a solid year as Hollywood’s new darling of an actor, and he deserves everything.

The action sequences in Twisters are undeniably thrilling, with the film’s special effects team delivering impressive tornado scenes that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The rodeo scene and aftermath stood out, particularly for me; from massive twisters tearing through urban landscapes to daring chases that push the limits of the team’s technology, the film excels in its portrayal of nature’s fury.

Twisters is a fun, albeit flawed, sequel that offers plenty of high-octane storm-chasing action and nostalgic nods to the original. While it struggles with character development and relies heavily on disaster movie conventions, it succeeds in delivering an entertaining spectacle that fans of the genre will appreciate. It may not reach the iconic status of its predecessor, but for those looking to revisit the thrill of the chase, Twisters provides a stormy ride worth taking.

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