DVD Review: Twister (Special Edition)

A mile-wide, 300 miles-per-hour force of total devastation is coming at you! In this adventure swirling with cliffhanging excitement and awesome special effects, Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton play scientists pursuing the most destructive weatherfront to sweep through mid-America’s Tornado Alley in 50 years. By launching electronic sensors into the funnel, the storm chasers hope to obtain data to create an improved warning system. But to do so, they must intercept the twisters’ deadly path. The chase is on! Now enjoy this all new 2-Disc Special Edition taken from the digitally remastered film elements with awesome bonus features. Experience the fury like never before!

Review:
I saw this movie in the theaters when it was first released and loved it, campiness and all. Meteorologist Bill Harding (Bill Paxton) is ready to divorce his wife Dr. Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) and move on with his life – but first he has to get her to sign the divorce papers. While attempting to do so, he runs into a contest brewing between Jo’s team of scientists and rival Dr. Jonas Miller’s (Carey Elwes) team as a destructive set of tornadoes begins to sweep through Tornado alley. The race to be the first team to deploy their sensors and get the first set of data from inside a real tornado wins. Of course, Bill gets sucked into the drama and contemplates if he’s ready for another season of storm-chasing both literally and figuratively.

What’s great about this special edition is the behind the scenes extras. Director Jan de Bont was fresh off of Speed (Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock) and continued with the blockbuster special effects in this movie. With a commentary track by de Bont and his special effects guy, Stefen Fangmeier, you get to hear the why’s and how’s of the movies explosions and how exactly that cow stole the show.

Ultimately, Twister, especially as the Special Edition, is a fun blockbuster to throw-in during a poker party or as a date-night in. I entirely recommend it for mindless, special effects fun.

Review by Marie Holzer

Grade: B+
Official site: http://www.twisterondvd.com/
Buy on Amazon: Twister (Special Edition)