'Twisters' Movie Review: A Perfect Storm that Blew Away My Skepticism

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Twisters hits theaters on July 19, intending to rekindle the spirit of the 1996 blockbuster Twister, a movie very near and dear to my heart. Like most movie fans who grew up loving the original film starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, I wanted to be a storm chaser. And that dream continued for a solid five years before I realized how unrealistic and unprofitable that would be. However, my love of weather and the original ’96 film has never wavered. So, does it really need a sequel? How does this one compare to the original? Your geek girl has thoughts… and they’re surprising ones.

The film follows stars Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a former storm chaser grappling with trauma, alongside Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), a daredevil storm chaser with a sizable social media following. Their paths converge in Oklahoma’s tornado alley, where they face unprecedented meteorological phenomena….

Check out the trailer below.

Twisters Movie Trailer

Twisters Movie Review: What I Did and Didn’t Like

I went into Twisters with considerable skepticism, fully expecting to loathe what I felt was an unnecessary sequel. However, I was so, so wrong.

This film manages to strike an impressive balance between honoring its predecessor and creating its own identity. The action sequences are genuinely thrilling, and the visual effects are solid (although, the CGI could have been better).

But, what really takes Twisters to the next level, is the unexpected depth of its character development. The lead actors share a palpable on-screen chemistry (though sadly, they never share a kiss, and I’m still salty about it…), which infuses the high-stakes drama with genuine emotional impact. It’s an engaging and fun watch, and, while the film occasionally succumbs to genre tropes, these minor flaws are easily overshadowed by everything the film has going for it.

Twisters Movie — Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

The Story

The script for Twisters successfully balances high-stakes action with character-driven drama, a feat not easily achieved in this genre. It cleverly introduces Kate’s backstory and inner conflict in the first few minutes, setting up a compelling character arc that intertwines with the storm-chasing plot. The dialogue between characters feels natural and often witty, particularly in scenes featuring Powell’s Tyler, who is just a joy to watch. This helps to not only build believable relationships but also add moments of levity to offset the tension.

However, the film does occasionally fall into familiar disaster movie tropes, which may feel predictable to the genre fans. Some of the scientific explanations for the extreme weather scenarios stretch credibility, potentially pulling viewers out of the experience. Additionally, certain character decisions in the face of danger, while dramatically effective, might cause eye-rolling from fans expecting more realistic responses to life-threatening situations. (As cool as it would be to drive into a tornado, I know it’s dumb.)

Where the script truly shines is in its ability to weave emotional stakes into the spectacle of it all. The parallel drawn between the unpredictability of tornadoes and the characters’ personal lives adds substance to what could have otherwise been a straightforward action flick. While not every emotional beat lands perfectly, the overall journey that the script takes us on feels satisfying, with character growth that feels truly earned by the end of the film.

Twisters Movie Review — Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

The Performances

Twisters isn’t just a typical disaster movie like the ones we came to love in the mid-to-late 90’s. The performances from the cast elevate it to something so much greater. Daisy Edgar-Jones brings such depth to Kate, portraying her inner conflict between her love for science and her past trauma with such a genuine and nuanced approach that viewers can’t help but empathize with her character’s journey.

Glen Powell steals many scenes as Tyler Owens. His charisma and energy light up the screen, making even the most outrageous storm-chasing influencer antics believable. But Tyler is more than just a reckless thrill-seeker; he genuinely cares for others, adding complex layers to what could have been a one-note character. As a side note, I thoroughly enjoy seeing Powell appear in more and more leading roles. I think he has a rather impressive and long-lasting career ahead of him.

The chemistry between Edgar-Jones and Powell is palpable, driving much of the film’s emotional core. Their interactions feel natural, whether they’re being snarky with each other or working together for a great cause. (My only complaint with their characters is that they never kissed despite such incredible chemistry…. yes, I’m going to keep mentioning this in hopes that it shows up on the DVD as an alternative ending)

Lastly, Anthony Ramos provides solid support as Javi, bridging Kate’s caution and Tyler’s daring nature. And, the rest of the supporting cast, including Brandon Perea, Kiernan Shipka, and others, each bring something unique to their roles, creating a believable ensemble of storm chasers and researchers that you care about and want to be friends with.

Overall Thoughts

Twisters is everything you want in a summer blockbuster: exciting, emotional, and visually stunning. It’s a thrill ride that doesn’t sacrifice heart for spectacle. And while it may have some moments of hokiness, these are easily forgiven, considering what a fun movie this is.

It’s also worth noting that one of the film’s greatest strengths is its ability to appeal to both fans of the original and newcomers to the franchise. It balances nostalgia and innovation, creating its own identity while respecting its roots. And honestly, at this point, I want a third film (in part because I still need to see a kiss between Powell’s Tyler and Jones’ Kate – which was filmed – but cut. Why? Why, I ask. I need answers.)

To sum it up, Twisters blew away my expectations (Pun very much intended). It’s a worthy addition to the disaster movie genre that manages to be both a crowd-pleasing blockbuster and a character-driven drama.