Whenever a sequel is released in the cinema, I approach it with caution, as many films miss the mark, not living up to the original. The bar is upheld by the likes of the 2022 film Top Gun: Maverick which was a success in both the box office and with its audience. It’s safe to say that Twisters does carry the nostalgia of the original whilst also being a strong sequel to the similarly-named 1996 classic by Jan de Bont.
The cast elevates the film greatly with the likes of Glen Powell, who is becoming the go-to male lead in Hollywood in recent years, starring alongside Normal People breakout star Daisy Edgar-Jones. Powell (Anyone But You, Hit Man) is no stranger to leading a cast and does so in Twisters excellently as the cocky and arrogant tornado wrangler Tyler Owens. He has a talent for luring you in with his charming and charismatic performance.
Though you are wary of his character and his antics initially, you are soon won over by the character’s soft side and chemistry with costar Daisy Edgar-Jones. The British actor takes on the role of meteorologist and former storm chaser Kate Carter—and does so with a flawless American accent. She brings an understated vulnerability to the character whilst also being a compelling and strong character who ultimately faces her demons.
It’s worth noting that viewing this film is not going to increase your knowledge of tornadoes or how to potentially survive one, but it is everything you could want from a summer flick. A more central aspect of this film is its romance; the chemistry between the leads is palpable and truly the beating heart of the film. The action scenes closely follow.
The original film was groundbreaking in its marrying of both visual and practical effects, and this sequel’s special effects were similarly strong and looked highly realistic. The most action-packed sequence is at the penultimate part of the film, where a large tornado hits a small town and everyone is forced to flee to safety, with Tyler taking shelter in a movie theatre with Kate until she flees to save her friend in the eye of the storm. The sequence has your heart racing from beginning to end until the tornado eventually passes and Kate is cared for by Tyler.
The promotion for the film by Powell and Edgar-Jones created a lot of buzz in the lead up to the release, as many were lured into their press interviews by their chemistry and a few brief appearances by Powell’s dog Brisket, who has become a celebrity in his own right. These viewers in particular were left wanting more in the final scene when Tyler goes after Kate to presumably confess his feelings that have been hinted at throughout the film. Though the lead up is swoon-worthy, the payoff was slightly underwhelming to many viewers, causing a stir online.
Ultimately, the film was a box-office success— more so in the States than globally, but it still managed to lure a large viewership of action lovers looking for crazy special effects as well as an older audience searching for a touch of nostalgia. While the film is not by any means groundbreaking, it still radiates joy and humour, encapsulating a nostalgic summer feeling that is rare in media today. Twisters is definitely worth your time on a film night and can be enjoyed by a variety of audiences.
Maybe not if you have a fear of tornadoes though.