4.0 out of 5.0 stars
If one had to describe the ruling genre in Hollywood as we approach the mid-2020s, then sequels, adaptations and remakes would be right at the top of the list. Among these is “Twisters,” a stand-alone sequel of the 1996 blockbuster “Twister.” Despite the only characters it shares with the original being tornadoes, “Twisters” offers a captivating ride, sticking to the “American dream” movie formula of the ’90s.
“Twisters” starts with Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones) losing her storm chaser friends to a super-sized tornado they were trying to dissipate with Dorothy— a device that also serves as a callback to the original. Five years later, Javi (Anthony Ramos), the sole survivor of Kate’s friend group, shows up in New York City, where she works at the National Weather Service with groundbreaking image-capturing technology.
Kate, who has a gift for “seeing” tornadoes, reluctantly agrees to go west during an exceptionally active tornado season. There, she meets tornado-wrangler Tyler Owens, played by Glen Powell, who is considered by some as “Hollywood’s heartthrob” for his roles in films such as “Anyone but You” and Netflix’s “Hit Man.” Following the popular enemies-to-lovers arc, Kate is wary of Tyler and his crew of hellraisers after Javi introduces them as “hillbillies with a YouTube channel.” Tyler sees Kate as an out-of-place city girl, but gives her a chance as they realize there’s more to each other than what appears on the surface.
The film picks up when Tyler and Kate start bonding and attend a rodeo together, setting the pace for the second half of the film, which has audiences holding onto the edge of their seats. The CGI and set design depicting intensifying action sequences and the path of destruction these cyclones leave behind adds to this deadly realism that ups the stakes in juxtaposition to the first half, which can be predictable and cliché. Ultimately, the heart of the film is about regular folks pursuing the extraordinary by attempting to tame the beast. The impact climate change has on the force of these weather phenomena is evident, raising questions about who benefits and takes advantage of this fight, although the film never acknowledges it to avoid preaching any sort of agenda.
From the very first scene, “Twisters” captivates with appealing characters and a skilled cast. Powell shines as a cocky cowboy with a heart of gold who’s a secret science nerd. Edgar-Jones charms as Kate, but at times falls flat next to Powell’s smugness, leaving us wanting more from the inexplicably gifted, angsty genius as Kate heals from her trauma.
These elements make the perfect formula for a thrilling summer blockbuster. “Twisters” offers enticing escapism, making science look sexy despite its inaccuracy. With romance, action and self-discovery, the plot doesn’t try to transcend and stands for what it is: a fun-filled, suspenseful journey with enough risk to keep you hooked.
