As someone who has spent countless hours huddled under the table during tornado warnings, I can confidently say that I have developed a deep appreciation for films that capture the raw power and terror of these natural disasters. When it comes to storm chasing movies, none compare to the original “Twister” – a movie that left me with an unyielding fear of the sky and a soft spot for Bill Paxton’s character.
With the end of the year approaching, I’ve been making up for missed 2024 movie releases that I couldn’t catch in cinemas earlier, such as “Twisters,” now available on Peacock for subscribers. Initially, I wasn’t overly excited about the sequel to the ’90s hit during the summer, but positive word-of-mouth from others, including our favorable review of “Twisters,” convinced me to give it a try at home over Thanksgiving. To my surprise, I was genuinely impressed with how Universal managed to revitalize the original! Here’s what made it stand out for me.
To begin with, it’s important to note that I was raised on the first Twister film and, although I don’t often rewatch it, it holds a special place in my memory as a well-made movie. Admittedly, I wasn’t keen on another adaptation or rehashing of the idea. However, I must confess that I was mistaken – the prospect of a new Twister film, almost 30 years later, turned out to be quite beneficial.
2024 Has Had A Wild Amount Of Nostalgic Sequels, But Twisters Feels Different
2024 seems to be heavy on sequels compared to the original movies we enjoyed last year, such as Oppenheimer and Barbie. So far, most of the big releases this year have been follow-ups like Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Despicable Me 4, Dune: Part Two, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Kung Fu Panda 4, Venom: The Last Dance, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Moana 2, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Alien: Romulus, and Gladiator II. It’s almost like a sequel marathon, with a long list that just keeps growing.
It’s clear that this year, as well as in the past, Hollywood has often revisited familiar concepts and brought back characters for moments reminiscent of the past, aiming to create a feeling of nostalgia. However, these attempts can sometimes be effective, while other times they feel repetitive and tiresome when seen too frequently.
Currently, the 2021 film “Twisters” doesn’t feature any of the original actors from the 1996 movie. While it can be classified as a sequel, it bypasses some aspects that I found problematic in films like “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” or “Alien: Romulus,” which brought back old lines even with new cast members, leaving me wondering about the necessity of this approach. Writing fresh dialogue seems less challenging than these instances suggest.
Twisters Doesn’t Need To Lean On The Original To Be Interesting In Its Own Right
Additionally, I find that what makes Twisters stand out is its meticulous approach to character development and storytelling, offering a modern take on the disaster movie about tornadoes that carries on the legacy of the original, yet avoids being overly sentimental. From the opening scenes of Twisters, I found myself deeply engaged with Daisy Edgar-Jones’ character, Kate, who experiences profound loss during her personal encounter with an EF5 tornado while pursuing storm chasing for a noble cause.
The narrative focuses on Kate, five years following a devastating event, as her friend Javi (played by Anthony Ramos) persuades her to reenter the heart of the turmoil in an attempt to make a change. Unable to refuse, she encounters Glen Powell’s dynamic character, Tyler – a renowned storm chaser and internet sensation, who leads his own team including Kate, Javi, and others.
I visited Twisters because I enjoyed the initial film and was intrigued about its sequel. However, this new movie is captivating and thought-provoking even without having watched the ’90s version. As a fan who cherishes Twister from that era, I appreciate how Joseph Kosinski and Lee Isaac Chung chose to deviate from the original but still maintained its essence.
It was clear they recognized my preference for not rewatching the same film. Yet, even though they added fresh characters and gave the classic tale a contemporary twist – aspects I actually enjoyed – the original version was still preferred by me.
And, I Appreciate That Twisters Didn’t Try To Shoe-Horn In The Original Cast
As Twisters drew to a close, I found myself deeply engrossed in Kate and Tyler’s tale, forgetting my initial desire to revisit the original version. In fact, I was eagerly anticipating the scene where they would share the iconic kiss, which Steven Spielberg notoriously omitted. Regarding the Twisters series, I know that I’ll choose between the two films, confident in their status as top-tier disaster movies that instill a realistic dread of tornadoes, while delivering excellent acting, compelling narratives, and well-developed characters.
Many filmmakers might have found it necessary to introduce Helen Hunt in the climax of the storyline to link the two movies and create a shocking cameo that audiences often discuss. However, I was taken aback when this didn’t occur, and I felt grateful that Twisters didn’t forcefully connect the films, as it would have been predictable and unnecessary.
In the previous film, there was a character named “Dorothy” that bridged the two stories. What I appreciate is how the filmmakers subtly acknowledged the original and then moved on to create a modernized story about tornado research in 2024. The new movie also has intriguing human relationships, much like the classic novel Pride & Prejudice. You may remember that the original centered around two ex-lovers (both storm chasers) on the verge of divorce as they embarked on a dangerous journey. In contrast, this movie explores a romantic dynamic akin to that found in Pride and Prejudice.
I didn’t catch Twisters at the cinema or in 4DX during summer, like everyone seemed to be discussing. But I’m thrilled I managed to watch it! Though I enjoyed Alien: Romulus and Inside Out 2 a bit more, I adore Twisters more than many contemporary sequels in 2024 because the storytelling was innovative and original, challenging me as an intelligent viewer who craves something beyond a rehash of a movie that’s already been made.
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2024-12-07 04:07