The long-awaited follow-up to Twister has arrived, bringing a fresh story, intense tornado action, and a blend of new and familiar elements. While Twisters may not quite capture the lightning-in-a-bottle appeal of the 1996 classic, it is an engaging, visually stunning experience that stands up to multiple viewings and lays the groundwork for a potential new franchise.
At the core of Twisters is Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar Jones; Where the Crawdads Sing), a former stormchaser whose traumatic past and reluctance to return to her dangerous career form the emotional backbone of the film. Kate's struggle with guilt and personal loss adds depth to the high-stakes disaster plot, offering viewers more than just spectacle. Her internal conflict is mirrored by Javi (Anthony Ramos; A Star Is Born), a fellow chaser with whom she shares a painful history. His determination to recruit her back into the fold drives the plot and brings their past back into focus, making their renewed partnership both a path to healing and a source of tension.
Adding to this dynamic is Tyler Owens (Glen Powell; Anyone But You), a cocky, social-media-obsessed storm chaser whose initial arrogance quickly clashes with the more seasoned characters. However, as the film progresses, Tyler's bravado gives way to mutual respect, and the interplay between the three leads injects personal stakes into the larger disaster narrative, creating a more emotionally complex story than expected for the genre.
Lee Isaac Chung, known for his indie success with Minari, steps confidently into the blockbuster world with Twisters. His knack for intimate storytelling shines through in the quieter, character-driven moments, balancing the large-scale action with real emotional beats. While the film doesn't always maintain the same heart-pounding tension as the original Twister, Chung's choice to shoot on 35mm film adds a gritty, authentic feel to the storm sequences. This decision helps ground the visual effects, giving the tornadoes a visceral, raw quality that modern digital filmmaking can sometimes lack.
On the technical side, Twisters truly shines. The action scenes, while occasionally less intense than the 1996 film, are visually stunning, especially in the 4K Ultra HD release. The 2160p resolution and Dolby Vision quality ups the game in terms of picture quality. The tornado effects are rendered in breathtaking detail, with every swirl of debris adding to the sense of danger. The Dolby Atmos sound further elevates the experience, immersing viewers in the storms' fury while ensuring that dialogue remains clear, even during the most chaotic moments.
Making a connection with today's audience, Twisters weaves social media into its plot through Tyler's obsession with viral fame. While this element adds a modern touch, it sometimes feels out of place in a story that otherwise deals with serious emotional and physical stakes. That said, Powell's charismatic performance as Tyler helps smooth over some of these rough patches. His chemistry with Daisy Edgar-Jones (Kate) is quite strong, adding a layer of human connection that elevates the film beyond mere disaster spectacle. Their relationship, along with Javi's character arc, helps keep the audience invested in the characters' survival, even when the film's pacing lags or its scientific accuracy is stretched.
This release also includes these bonus features:
- Gag Reel
- Deleted Scenes
- Tracking the Fronts: The Path of Twisters - Explore the journey of Twisters from its initial concept to full production, and meet the cast as they offer insights into developing their characters. Learn how they incorporated science to enhance realism and navigated the challenges of filming in extreme weather conditions.
- Into the Eye of the Storm - Uncover how Twisters combines practical effects with cutting-edge visuals to transform nature's most devastating forces into exhilarating on-screen action.
- Glen Powell: All Access - Glen Powell offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a day in his life on the Twisters set.
- Front Seat to a Chase - Join the cast and professional storm chasers as they face the elements while pursuing tornadoes across Oklahoma.
- Voice of a Villain - Experience the making of the film's powerful storm sounds as you step into the studio, where the audio team blends unexpected noises to add a new layer of depth to the storm's roaring intensity.
- Tricked Out Treats - Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping journey in the film's custom vehicles, equipped with everything from rocket launchers to cutting-edge radar technology.
- Feature Commentary with Director Lee Isaac Chung
While Twisters doesn't quite live up to the iconic status of its predecessor, it delivers a solid mix of character development, thrilling action, and technical spectacle. The balance between personal drama and large-scale destruction makes it an entertaining ride. For fans of the original, Twisters provides enough callbacks to satisfy nostalgia while offering something fresh for newer audiences.
Grade: B
