As a long-time gamer and avid moviegoer, I have seen my fair share of sequels, both good and bad. The anticipation and excitement that comes with a new installment in a beloved franchise can be immense. However, there’s a growing trend in Hollywood to rely too heavily on legacy sequels, where older characters return for cameos or carry the weight of the story. While some of these films can be enjoyable, many end up feeling stale and lacking the magic of the original.
As a longtime fan of the original “Twister” movie from 1996, I was beyond excited for the release of the sequel. Having grown up with Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt’s iconic performances, I eagerly anticipated seeing how the story would continue. However, my expectations were met with surprise when I learned that this new film would not be a traditional sequel.
In the final version of the movie, Jo Harding, portrayed by Helen Hunt, is neither seen nor mentioned. Instead, Maura Tierney takes on the role of Kate’s mother, Cathy. Fans have expressed their disappointment about this omission, despite the overall success of the franchise’s comeback. During an interview with The Wrap, Twisters director Lee Isaac Chung clarified why Helen Hunt’s character did not make a cameo and why she was not Kate’s mother. According to Chung, he made this decision to keep Jo Harding’s character free from being defined solely as a farmer and envisioned her still pursuing storms somewhere out in the world. Chung’s entire statement can be found below:
After watching that first film featuring Jo Harding, I couldn’t help but think about what she might be doing years down the line. Instead of being at the farm, fretting over her daughter not keeping in touch, I pictured her out there, pursuing storms as always. This was the reason behind my decision to cast someone else for the role.
Twisters Wisely Avoids Being a Legacy Sequel
In recent years, Hollywood has leaned heavily on reviving old movie franchises for new installments, known as legacy sequels. Some of these films, like “Top Gun: Maverick,” have been successful and well-received. However, many others, such as “The Flash,” “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” and “Jurassic World: Dominion,” have begun to lose their appeal and follow familiar patterns. These productions have reunited original franchise stars in an attempt to evoke nostalgia among viewers. Unfortunately, these movies often fall short of recapturing the enchantment of the originals and primarily focus on appealing to fans of the earlier films rather than attracting new audiences.
The film “Twisters” has succeeded as a spiritual sequel rather than a traditional one. It attracts viewers who are fans of the original “Twister” and those who haven’t seen it but enjoy large-scale disaster movies. The movie doesn’t follow typical legacy sequel tropes, such as characters constantly referencing past events or idolizing heroes from the first film like legends, unlike the upcoming “Beetlejuice 2.”
As a gamer, I can tell you that when it comes to movies like Twisters, relying solely on the nostalgia of old actors isn’t always the best strategy. Instead, we need to offer something new and exciting that justifies a big-screen experience. The studio put their faith in Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar Jones, and they didn’t disappoint. While some audiences may have yearned for Helen Hunt’s return, adding her wouldn’t have made Twisters any better. In fact, leaving her character untouched might have even improved the movie by showing respect for its originality.
Twisters
is playing now in theaters.
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2024-07-22 02:03