TWISTERS – MOVIE REVIEW

Written by John Darius

Disaster films are some of the most sought out made films in Hollywood. Films such as the Deep impact, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, The Core & The Divide, all have gone on in becoming some of the most popular fan favorite titles to emerge within the genre, and have even gained a large enough traction amongst audiences worldwide. One of the most memorable disaster films known by many without a doubt Jan De Bont’s 1996 Twister. Written by Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin. Led by two iconic stars in Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. 

In 1996, Twister came at a time where disaster films were not at a high amongst movie goers, but still in the end came in swinging at the box office grossing $495.7 million worldwide. Along with earning 2 Oscar nominations in Best Visual Effects & Best Sound Editing. Speaking with TheWrap, director De Bont admitted that when finally bought onto the film, he was drawn to the movie’s themes of “wildness and the power of nature.” Bont, also mentions that all of the tornadoes in the movie are based on tornadoes that somebody actually caught on film. 

Speaking with NPR, Director Lee Isaac Chung mentions being a fan of the original film and how close to home it felt with him and other viewers stating: 

“I was. I grew up in Arkansas – northwest Arkansas. And I remember, when that came out, we were all used to tornadoes. We kind of grew up around them. And that film was set in Oklahoma, which is just right across the border from where I was living. And in a way, I thought of it as, like, a local film. I didn’t even realize how big of a movie it was until I moved out of Arkansas, went to college, that it was quite a big movie everywhere.”

Director Chung also goes on in talking about the balance of it all in the making of 1996 Twister and why it’s so beloved after all these years: 

“There’s something about that film. It just has this balance, this weird balance of all kinds of things that are happening within it. And it’s a hard film to place what it is. Is it a disaster movie? Is it an adventure? Is it a romance? We would talk to a lot of storm chasers about their origin story. Like, where did you get started? How did you get interested? And so many people list “Twister” as that start. And also, actual weather scientists and meteorologists, they would also list that movie. So it really holds a place in the hearts of many people who are in love with weather.”

One particular film that seemingly influenced the making of thr sequel was none other than Steven Spielberg’s Jaws! When asked why, director Chung stated: 

“The No. 1 film that I was looking at was “Jaws”…”

“…By Steven Spielberg, to be honest. Yeah, I did see this as a monster movie. And that movie is about three people and three people dealing with this force of nature, this shark. And it was great to be able to work with Steven Spielberg on this film and to talk about “Jaws” and how he increased tension and all those things. How did he do a lot of these beats without even showing the shark? So, that element does creep into this film, where there are many times I’m withholding showing the tornado, and it’s really coming out of my love for that film.”

There have been so many monster and disaster movies that have come and gone throughout this lifetime that it’s honestly hard for one to keep up with them all, but sometimes there are those out there that do in fact standout amongst the rest, and deliver on the spectacle we all want when going to the theater. Now in 2024, it’s safe to say that in Twisters, Director Chung and the amazing cast involved all help in bringing forth a very special film that is sure to get the masses talking. While also becoming one of the best blockbusters of the summer. 

Rising stars in Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar Jones, and Anthony Ramos all bring amazing chemistry to the film and help in bridging out a great love story that underneath it all is about facing our fears head-on. While understanding that no matter how challenging our goals may be, so long as we as people can come together united as one there’s nothing in this world that is impossible. 

Make no mistake, Twisters easily stands as one of THE best films to come this summer and will blow one away with the awesome effects that are accomplished on screen. I strongly advice people that haven’t seen it yet to go give this film some love. It is well deserved and will leave you with a smile by the end. 

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TWISTERS MOVIE TRAILER:

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