Taming a tornado

A disaster film that builds brilliantly on its predecessor’s success

LONDON:

As a Gen Z-er, I spend a large chunk of my time panic surfing about the planet’s impending doom as there are few things that so acutely play upon my anxiety as climate change. So, naturally, I was both excited and slightly terrified about this movie. After all, what better way to confront my fears than watching a film about mega-tornadoes during a climate crisis?

Let’s take a trip down memory lane to 1996 with Twister, directed by Jan de Bont and starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. This classic storm-chaser flick, the second highest-grossing film of its year and a pioneer DVD release, was a gem we took for granted but now cherish.

Enter Twisters, the new generation of storm chasers. Led by Daisy Edgar-Jones’ Kate Carter, a traumatised meteorologist looking for redemption, and Cruise protégé Glen Powell’s Tyler Owens, a cocky cowboy YouTuber with hidden scientific chops. Interestingly, there’s a notable absence of Paxton and Hunt’s characters, as well as the original supporting cast which strays from the legacy sequel formula. The only nod to the past is a cameo by Paxton’s son, James, as a disgruntled motel guest and Dorothy, the contraption they use to gather tornado data. Even poor Dorothy is cast aside for a swanky new model 20 minutes into the film.

The legacy sequel formula

Legacy sequels have become a genre unto themselves, especially since 2015’s Jurassic World reboot. Upon closer look, the recipe is pretty straightforward: tweak an old script, sprinkle in some 21^st-century relevance, and cast a bunch of fresh-faced actors who’ve got that “I just stopped by after my Spielberg audition” look. Yet only one film in this genre — Top Gun: Maverick — has managed to outshine its predecessor, thanks largely to Tom Cruise’s sheer determination.

Rotten Tomatoes critics are clearly favouring the new Twisters movie over the original. You might be thinking, “But who really trusts Rotten Tomatoes?” They have a reputation for giving your favourite films the lowest score while awarding the most snooze-worthy features the highest (the snobs). Well, this is to let you know, for once, they’ve gotten it right.

High-stake thrills

But comparing this to the original Twister is like comparing a modern smartphone to a 90s brick phone. The old one was great for its time, but Twisters takes everything that was good about the original, dials it up to eleven, and adds a hefty amount of contemporary relevance.

The stakes are higher in this one, not just because the tornadoes look more real (and terrifying) thanks to better CGI, but because climate change is now a constant, looming threat in our daily lives. It’s not just about “OMG, look at that tornado!” but about the people trying to survive, understand and tame these monster storms.

As part of the generation that’s going to have to deal with the fallout of climate change, seeing it play out on screen is a wake-up call. But instead of just freaking us out, Twisters also shines a light on the importance of scientific research and the bravery of those who risk their lives for the greater good. And it does so tastefully without shoving climate activism down your throat.

Twisters kicks off with an opening ten minutes so intense, I swear my smartwatch picked up an irregular heartbeat. The scenes of destruction and chaos were so realistic, you would almost feel guilty for being entertained. The emotional punch was right in the feels, and there were moments that had me on the brink of tears. Yes, actual tears. In a movie about tornadoes. Who knew?

A remake worth watching

It’s no coincidence that Glen has been part of two legacy sequels that have eclipsed their originals. At the risk of sounding like a fangirl, I’m convinced it’s his onscreen charm that does it. Whether he’s sharing a deep, meaningful glance with a fellow storm chaser or sprinting through debris to save a puppy, he is magnetic. If there’s ever an award for “most likely to have chemistry with a cowboy hat,” Glen is a shoo-in. Anthony Ramos also shines as a lesser break-into-spontaneous-song version of his Washington Heights counterpart as he navigates the guilt and trauma of his past alongside an equally excellent Southern-accented but very English in real-life Daisy.

Not all films merit a remake, or even a watch (looking at you, endless Disney live-action reboots), but Twisters is an exception. It honours the original while upping the ante with better effects, a more engaging story, and characters you genuinely care about. In a world where disaster movies are a dime a dozen, it stands out and I can guarantee that you will not be checking your phone throughout — not even a quick glimpse during act three.