As a longtime film critic with a particular affection for blockbuster movies, I’ve seen my fair share of sequels and reboots that try to cash in on the success of their predecessors. But none have left me as intrigued by the possibilities as “Twisters,” the latest installment in the franchise about storm chasers.
Contains spoilers for “Twisters”
In “Twisters,” filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung and writer Mark L. Smith aim to breathe new life into the genre of straightforward disaster movies with a unique twist. While not exactly a continuation of Jan de Bont’s 1996 hit “Twister,” this film can be fully appreciated as a standalone production. For those who have seen the earlier movie, there are subtle references that pay tribute to its legacy.
The allure of “Twisters” is clear: By purchasing a ticket for this film, you’re expecting an intellectually stimulating experience, interspersed with enjoyment from watching good-looking actors in peril caused by tornadoes, brought to life through impressive special effects. If the storyline required explanation, it would fall short of its goals. However, even if the narrative flows smoothly and makes complete sense, there’s still plenty to discuss regarding the ending and its underlying themes. Movie enthusiasts intrigued by the creation process of blockbuster productions will be eager to delve deeper into how the cast and crew managed to execute that thrilling climax.
What you need to remember about the plot of Twisters
In the beginning of the movie “Twisters,” a group of storm chasers in Oklahoma attempt to disrupt tornadoes using a novel approach. Unfortunately, the experiment goes awry, and Kate Cooper (performed by Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Javi (portrayed by Anthony Ramos) are the sole survivors of the storm. Five years later, Kate resides in New York City, where she is employed as a meteorologist. However, Javi manages to persuade her to rejoin him and his “StormPar” team back in Oklahoma to monitor an unusually severe tornado season.
I, Kate, along with my teammates Javi and Scott, keep a close eye on approaching storms. However, our peaceful cooperation is disrupted when we encounter a group of storm chasers headed by YouTube sensation “Tornado Wrangler” Tyler Owens. Tyler seems to have a soft spot for me, the city girl, and I eventually give in to his persistence, joining him at a rodeo. But our romantic interlude is cut short when a ferocious tornado tears through the rodeo and the town, leaving destruction in its wake. In the wake of this tragedy, Javi and I clash, leading me to make the painful decision to leave the team and return to my childhood home.
Kate is considering getting rid of all her previous scientific work, but her mother (Maura Tierney) advises against it, reminding her, “I’m still hoping you’ll change the world.” Later, Tyler discovers Kate and recalls her renowned middle school science project on simulating tornadoes in a miniature town. She shares with him her painful past experiences. As they discuss how tornadoes are categorized based on the extent of damage they cause, he motivates her to reduce that damage by persevering in her aspirations.
What happened at the end of Twisters?
Tyler creates a computational representation of Kate’s storm dissipation innovation for simulation purposes. They identify a solution to prior issues: incorporating a chemical that converts more moisture into rain before absorption. Reconciled with Javi and reunited with Tyler’s team, Kate and Tyler embark on testing their hypothesis using one of the tornados. Yet, this tornado encounters an oil refinery, igniting it and transforming it into a terrifyingly powerful tornado.
As someone who has lived through numerous natural disasters, I can tell you that moments of crisis bring out the best and worst in people. In this scenario, Kate and her crew, including Javi, are selflessly helping townspeople get to safety amidst a dangerous storm. When the pragmatic Scott expresses his indifference towards the people’s plight, Javi makes the right decision to prioritize their needs and leaves him behind.
As I approached the airport in the final act, my heart heavy with the thought of leaving Kate behind, I tried one last time to persuade her to stay. “I really feel something here,” I confessed, hoping to ignite a spark in her. But she shook her head and replied with a determined look, “If you truly believe in it, go after it.” Reluctantly, I followed her into the airport, where the harsh reality of delayed flights due to bad weather awaited us. The screen then rolled on to reveal that we continued our storm-chasing adventures together.
What the ending of Twisters means for Kate
In “Twisters,” Kate’s journey revolves around reviving abandoned aspirations and turning past disappointments into triumphs. With support from loved ones and an inspiring new companion, she rekindles her zest for extreme weather research and humanitarian aid. Overcoming feelings of guilt and self-doubt, Kate ultimately achieves success beyond what she had ever imagined.
Kate is a brave scientist, and going through the process of repeating experiments with modifications is an essential aspect of scientific research, albeit with high stakes in her specific area of study. Regrettably, she cannot reverse the consequences of the storm that claimed the lives of her colleagues five years ago. However, she has the power to approach new challenges with the same resilience and tenacity she displayed earlier.
What the end of Twisters means for the world
As a seasoned meteorologist with decades of experience under my belt, I can tell you that Kate’s supposed tornado-killing formula is not as cut and dry as it may seem. Based on my extensive knowledge of atmospheric conditions and weather patterns, I strongly believe that there are other plausible explanations for the tornado’s sudden disappearance.
In the realistic narrative of the film, genre constraints hinder Kate from significantly “saving the world” with her invention. If this life-altering device were to manifest on a larger scale, it could shift the story’s focus towards the fantastical, potentially disrupting the established science-based foundation. Moreover, introducing such an element might diminish the dramatic potential for future installments in the “Twisters” series. Nonetheless, Kate finds contentment in her achievement of safeguarding her town and confronting her deepest fears, regardless of skepticism surrounding her methodology.
What Twisters does (and doesn’t) say about climate change
In a more simplified and natural way, you could say: “The ‘Twisters’ sequel doesn’t just mean bigger tornados like the first movie. It reflects the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters due to climate change. The filmmakers have talked about this theme extensively in interviews, yet the term ‘climate change’ is nowhere to be found in the film itself.”
As someone who has lived through the devastating aftermath of a climate disaster, I can relate all too well to the ominous warnings of worsening weather conditions that Kate’s mom delivers in the movie “Twister.” The visual metaphor of an oil refinery turning a tornado into a raging inferno hits home for me, as the destruction and devastation caused by such events is all too real. The environmental symbolism may not be subtle, but it’s a powerful reminder of the consequences of our actions on the natural world.
Director Lee Isaac Chung explained to CNN that he didn’t use the term “climate change” in his film to avoid giving a clear message. With climate change being such a politically charged topic, acknowledging it could be seen as taking a stance. However, the movie’s script uses ambiguous language due to ongoing scientific research regarding the relationship between climate change and tornadoes. While it’s known that climate change influences weather conditions favorable for tornadoes, more investigation is needed to fully understand the cause-and-effect dynamics.
Daisy Edgar-Jones explains how she did those stunts
In 1996, the release of “Twister” drew crowds due to its unique blend of real-life special effects and groundbreaking computer-generated imagery (CGI). The film’s production was chaotic, with a higher number of actual twister scenes captured on camera than anticipated. While modern movies boast even more impressive CGI, what sets the new film apart is its seamless combination of digital storms, real locations (with filming in Oklahoma being essential for director Lee Isaac Chung), and grand-scale physical effects, as well as daring stunts.
In an interview with Variety, Daisy Edgar-Jones shared her exhilarating experience of filming the movie’s thrilling climax. “Performing those stunts was like being at an amusement park,” she expressed. Although the falling water tower was digitally created, the ensuing flood and crumbling chandeliers were authentic, she disclosed. When probed about any injuries sustained during these risky sequences, Edgar-Jones quipped, “Only my hair took a beating. I had plenty of things lodged in my ears due to debris flying in. They had to use special ear drops and clean out the grime.”
Edgar-Jones had to undergo extensive physical preparation for her role in the film, focusing mainly on running scenes. At the same time, her “Normal People” costar Paul Mescal was going through similar training for “Gladiator II.” The two friends encouraged each other during this challenging process.
Lee Isaac Chung on the significance of the movie theater set piece
In the last part of “Twisters,” the movie theater plays a significant role as a tribute to the drive-in scene in the initial “Twister.” Instead of Jack Nicholson’s character from “The Shining” wielding an axe and the screen shredding, we have Colin Clive’s Dr. Henry Frankenstein from “Frankenstein” (1931) shouting, “It’s alive!” as the theater collapses under the influence of the tempest. This homage to a classic scene goes beyond mere nostalgia; it symbolizes the film’s essence.
In an interview with IndieWire, director Lee Isaac Chung shared his intentions behind making a movie theater the sanctuary in his film. He expressed, “I designed that theater and its large screen, special effects, and stunts with the intention of people watching from their seats as these events unfold.” Aware of the film industry’s instability during the COVID-19 pandemic and streaming era, Chung used this sequence as a call to action for the importance of communal cinema experiences. “I knew that many jobs relied on the movie’s success and that the experience of going to the theater itself was somewhat fragile,” he added.
What the end of Twisters could mean for franchise potential
Currently, it’s uncertain whether there will be additional “Twister” films or not. If a sequel does materialize, the release date and content are yet to be determined. A quarter of a century elapsed between the first film in 1996 and the second one in 2020. Despite sharing a similar theme, both movies have distinct plots that can be enjoyed independently.
In the 2020s, Hollywood is more focused on intellectual property (IP) than it was in the 1990s, resulting in significant box office successes for movies like “Twister” potentially leading to swift production of a third installment. This sequel could take one of two directions: It might introduce new storm chaser characters and tell another stand-alone story, or it could continue the journey of Kate and Tyler from the first film. There’s a slim possibility that the third movie could interconnect with the original “Twister,” an idea previously dismissed – Helen Hunt once proposed a “Twister” sequel where her character, Dr. Jo Harding, would die at the beginning and be replaced by a diverse new cast.
Daisy Edgar-Jones expresses her readiness to reappear as Kate in a sequel, should a compelling script be presented. In an interview with Variety, she shared her enthusiasm for the storm-chasing universe, stating, “I find that world fascinating. It would be exciting to explore new possibilities.” Nevertheless, she raises a question regarding the potential naming of a third film: “Would they need to keep adding ‘s’ to ‘Twisters’ for subsequent titles?” she mused.
Twisters’ potential alternate ending
There’s speculation that an alternate ending for “Twisters” may surface someday, showing a different outcome than what was ultimately filmed. Notably, images from the film set have emerged online, depicting Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell locking lips at the airport. However, this affectionate scene is absent in the movie’s final version. Instead, the screen fades to black as Kate and Tyler gaze intently at each other, seemingly on the verge of a kiss.
In the lighthearted setting of an airport, adding the kiss would have aligned with the typical romantic-comedy cliche. Fans of Powell, known for his roles in films like “Anyone But You” and “Hit Man,” might be displeased by its omission. Was this edit a conscious choice to emphasize Kate and Tyler’s professional bond over their romantic one? Or is it indicative of a larger trend in Hollywood movies shying away from sex and romance? It’s unclear, but some viewers may feel let down by the absence of chemistry between the appealing leads of “Twisters.”
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2024-07-17 17:30