Anyone who knows me well knows that in addition to being a political junkie, I'm a weather junkie — in particular, a tornado junkie. I'm fascinated by them. I have recurring stress dreams involving tornadoes. I'm not certain of the genesis of this. Growing up and spending most of my life in the Midwest, I am, of course, well-familiar with these beastly exhibitions of Mother Nature's fury. I've never truly been caught in one myself, but have certainly had some close calls.
I've written about my obsession here a time or three. And my handsome beau, who's had the...uh...fun of being stuck in a car with me while threatening weather loomed and puts up with my babbling about weather and what the radar app is showing and whatnot, is not above teasing me over it.
Twisted: A Second Night of Monster Midwest Tornadoes
Brings Devastation to Oklahoma (Updated)
@SmoosieQ https://t.co/2gRSNHPnHn
— DeStep (@cheezbleeder) July 18, 2024
I've noted previously that the movie "Twister" is easily within my Top 10 — probably Top 5 — favorite movies of all time. It's definitely one that I will stop and watch whenever it's on. It's hard for me to believe it's almost 30 years old, as I'm fairly certain that the 90s were just 10 or 15 years ago.
It's also hard for me to believe, with as much recycling as Hollywood does, that there's never been a remake or sequel to the original blockbuster. When I started hearing rumbles about "Twisters" — this summer's release — I, of course, wondered whether and how it would tie into the original. I also was skeptical as to whether it would measure up.
Well, for those wondering with me, I can assure you that it does. And no, it's neither a sequel nor a remake, though there are definitely some plot similarities (duh), as well as some clear nods to the OG:
- Much like Helen Hunt's "Jo," our fiercely independent, determined heroine, Kate (played perfectly by Daisy Edgar-Jones), is dealing with the traumatic after-effects of a tragic tornado encounter
- Among those chasing the storms to study (or wrangle) them, there are the buttoned-up corporate contingent and the cowboy contingent, headed by Tyler Owens — also played to perfection by Glen Powell
- Part of the cowboy contingent travels in a ragged RV — one I half expected to see Philip Seymour Hoffman (who is dearly missed) roll out of
- Some of the devices employed to study the tornadoes harken back to those featured in the original
- There are the requisite references to "The Wizard of Oz"
- There's no close encounter with a cow, but there's a humorous chicken scene
- At one point, there are "twins" (much like the "sisters" in the original)
- There's a movie theater scene (plus a bonus rodeo scene, also reminiscent of the drive-in featured in the original)
- And James Paxton, son of Bill Paxton (also dearly missed), has a cameo in an homage to his father
None of which is to suggest "Twisters" is merely a remake. It's not. The plotline is different and (as my beau observed) even more compelling. And, as one might expect, the special effects are superior. CGI's come a long way since the original.
Given my tornadic obsession, I spend a fair amount of time watching chasers on YouTube. I can vouch for the following:
- The fireball at the refinery scene notwithstanding, most of the tornado scenes are very much what you'll find on a chaser's stream when they manage to intercept a twister
- The attitudes/demeanors/look/dialogue of the chasers in the movie are very much on par with what you'll find on most chase streams
Because I follow a number of chasers and weather-watchers, I can confirm that most who've seen the movie (and almost all of them have, at least once — it's been out a full week!) give it fairly high marks.
As a follower, I've also learned that the Fujita scale for tornadoes (the F-1 or F-3 ratings, for example) is based on damage, not windspeed, that rain-wrapped tornadoes can be particularly tricky, and that tornadoes and overpasses don't mix. (There's actually a wind tunnel effect that can intensify wind speeds, and vehicles parked under overpasses can cause traffic jams.) The movie does a solid job of highlighting these lessons and reminding the uninitiated how best to take cover when a tornado is approaching.
Stretching the credibility a bit is the number of Oklahomans in the movie (almost all of the movie is set there) who seem oblivious to the threat of tornadoes and/or how to shelter from them. Still, the scenes of Oklahoma backroads and small towns are compelling and consistent with my observations of the state. (Though my maternal grandfather was born there, I've not spent a ton of time in the Sooner State, but I've traveled through it perhaps a dozen times.)
Yes, there are some somewhat cheesy aspects to the movie. The Tyler Owens tornado wranglin' cowboy character is played up — but it's also tongue in cheek, with some of the best zings in the movie (mostly delivered by Kate) coming at his expense. And the devil-may-care attitude — complete with fireworks launched into a tornado — is part of the fun. Powell manages to capture both the cowboy appeal and the goofiness of the Owens character (and kudos to him for nabbing another summer blockbuster, as he did with his role in "Top Gun: Maverick.")
And Edgar-Jones shines as Kate. She's petite and cute but feisty and, frankly, looks a bit of a mess for much of the movie — which is appropriate, given the setting. She's also winsome, and when they're not doing battle with twisters, Powell does a masterful job of conveying his growing interest in and affection for her without declaring it.
I'd be remiss if I didn't give a shoutout to Anthony Ramos as Javi, Kate's longtime friend who's dealing with much of the same trauma she is, as well as wrestling with some unrequited feelings for her. While the twisters are the true stars of the movie, the top cast give them a solid run for their money.
In the end, "Twisters" is exactly what I'd hope and expect a summer blockbuster/disaster movie to be. It's wild and fun and gorgeous and scary and the perfect opportunity for those who love tornadoes and those who fear them (or both) to enjoy the ride.
