TWISTERS

If you long for the slick yet grounded blockbusters of the nineties, Twisters is just the ticket for you: a well-made tale that mixes spectacle with engaging characters and just the right amount of silliness.

Like most people I wasn’t exactly clamouring for a sequel to the 1996 hit Twister. Although that film contained plenty of undeniable thrills there wasn’t anything special or memorable about it after all. And yet I cannot deny I’m happy that reboot Twisters ultimately got made, because despite the picture’s flaws it reminds you how much silly fun a trip to the cinema can be.

Besides the titular weather phenomenon Twisters has not that much in common with its predecessor. None of the old cast make appearances and the narrative tells an entirely new story. What it does get spot-on is the old-school entertainment value, which emphasizes character and straightforward plot over backstory and CGI overkill.

Credit firstly has to go to screenwriter Mark L. Smith for finding a narrative that will please both fans of the original and those accustomed to modern blockbuster fare. Equally important is the visual style director Lee Isaac Chung stamps on the picture, which makes maximum use of on-location shooting and a minimum of greenscreen CGI eyesores.

Twisters is also aided by a fine cast, including current it-guy Glen Powell – who once again ups the charms quotient – and Daisy Edgar-Jones, who grounds the film with her subtle but highly effective performance. The supporting players have few stand-out moments but add to the feeling of a film that champions the ensemble, not the individual.

Like its predecessor it’s highly unlikely that Twisters will linger in the mind much longer than the summer cinema season, but for a diverting few hours in an airconditioned movie theatre on a hot summer’s day the picture is one of the better options out there.

release: 2024

director: Lee Isaac Chung

starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos, Sasha Lane