Quick Links
- What Twisters Gets Wrong
- What Twisters Gets Right
- Accurate or Not, Twisters Is Thrilling
As a meteorologist with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the new movie “Twisters” has left me both thrilled and somewhat divided. On one hand, it’s a rollercoaster ride of adrenaline-pumping storm chases, heartwarming character development, and a dash of romance – just like the original “Twister.
Movies sometimes exaggerate events for dramatic effect and provide unrealistic conclusions to please audiences. For instance, the film Twisters, one of this summer’s major box office hits, attempts to blend science with fiction but fails in certain aspects.
The movie currently available on Peacock titled “Twisters” tells the story of a team of scientists based in Oklahoma who are working to enhance technology for tracking tornadoes and discovering ways to prevent them. In this film, Glen Powell heads a crew of popular storm chasers who engage frequently with the scientific community, emphasizing the need to aid those impacted by the storms as well. The dialogue in “Twisters” includes technical terms, and actual meteorologists have provided feedback on its accuracy.
What Twisters Gets Wrong
In an article for Forbes, Marshall Shepherd, as the head of the University of Georgia’s Atmospheric Sciences Program and a seasoned meteorologist, evaluates the scientific authenticity of the movie Twisters.
The primary focus of the shepherd in the movie Twister revolves around one of its key storylines: the scientists’ idea to neutralize tornadoes. In the plot, these scientists hypothesize that removing moisture from a tornado could cause it to dissipate. Initially, their plan is to absorb the moisture; however, they later discover that turning the moist air into rain offers greater effectiveness. Ultimately, by the film’s end, the main characters have devised a chemical formula and release it into a massive tornado, successfully eliminating it.
However, Shepherd has a problem with this. He explains that this process, called “cloud seeding,” has been used in real life, with people putting ice crystals into the tornado clouds to start the formation of rain. This process is not as reliable in practice as seen in the movie, and Shepherd writes, “While many agencies and countries employ cloud seeding, past and current scientific studies find results to be inconclusive … the scientist in me definitely had to suspend disbelief.”
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice that Shepherd raises some valid concerns about the characters’ approach to tornado safety throughout the movie. It seems they often resort to simply waiting out these dangerous storms, which may not be the most effective strategy.
What Twisters Gets Right
Although there were a few mistakes spotted by him, Marshall Shepherd still had numerous positive points to make about the film Twisters. Most of his praises for the movie revolve around the precise terminology it uses when identifying and describing tornadoes. The characters frequently discuss wind shear, lifting mechanisms, and instability – all of which are actual criteria that meteorologists use to locate tornadoes.
Apart from shepherding the film’s production, he was intrigued by incorporating advanced phased array radar technology as well. This technology is relatively new and some characters in Twisters work for a company that employs it. Unlike traditional radars used to monitor storms, these phased array radars remain stationary at specific locations, resulting in quicker response times during detection.
In the movie, it’s the Enhanced Fujita Scale that particularly catches Shepherd’s interest among meteorologist terms. He clarifies that most scales gauge the winds of storms, but this one assesses a storm based on the harm it inflicts. This scale plays a crucial role in the film’s emotional scenes because the movie delves into the lives of those affected by tornadoes, rather than solely focusing on continuous storm-chasing.
Apart from appreciating the scientific aspects, he also values other aspects. To him, the human aspect is just as important, if not more so. In his words, “Weather isn’t a game, and saving lives should be our priority.” He further adds that the movie effectively emphasized this point, and he commends them for it.
Accurate or Not, Twisters Is Thrilling
As a captivated viewer, I can wholeheartedly affirm that Twister is an exhilarating cinematic experience. The film is brimming with engaging characters and scenes that resonate deeply, serving as poignant reminders of our shared human capacity for empathy.
Similar to the original Twister movie, the upcoming film Twisters boasts an impressive ensemble of talented actors. Leading the pack is Glen Powell, who captured hearts in Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, but Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos also deliver captivating performances with well-developed characters. Emerging stars like Brandon Perea (from Nope), Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), and Kiernan Shipka (Longlegs) fill out the supporting roles, while David Corenswet, who will later become the new Superman, appears as a scientist in this film.
Twisters encompasses various genre elements, catering to diverse tastes. Action enthusiasts will appreciate the thrilling storm chase scenes, while comedy lovers can find ample humor in Brandon Perea’s performances, and romantics will be drawn into the love story between Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
As a movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts about this captivating film. If the thrilling twister scenes don’t already warm your heart, I guarantee that the profound humanity on display will. The climax of the story steers away from the adrenaline-pumping tornado chases and instead offers a poignant glimpse into our protagonists selflessly assisting residents in seeking safety amidst the tempest. Don’t miss out, Twisters is now streaming on Peacock!
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-20 05:02