One of this year’s most anticipated legacy sequels has finally arrived, giving the audience a refreshing take on a cult classic that doesn’t stray too far away from its predecessor.
Nearly 30 years after the release of the first film, Twister, auteur Lee Isaac Chung, best known for A24’s Minari, has delivered a worthy successor in the form of Twisters. Combining modernised country tropes with a high-stakes environment, the film will have the audience members at the edge of their seats but also questioning some very obvious flaws.
Twisters follows Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones), an ex-storm-chaser forced out of the game following a tragic accident, who is roped back into the exciting world of storm chasing by friend and entrepreneur Javier (Anthony Ramos) who is then pitted against rival chaser and social media influencer Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) in an attempt to be #1 in the game.
Technically, Twisters rises above any expectations, using impressive feats of computer-generated imagery and applying it within a real-world context that even is indistinguishable from the real footage additionally shot for the film. Tonally, it is perhaps even more exaggerated and cornier than the first film, which this one isn’t connected to at all outside of the concept.
What causes the corniness of the film, is its script and score. The script, although perfectly serviceable, plays into tropes and sometimes depicts inhumane speech patterns that further play into the aforementioned tropes. Benjamin Wallfisch’s score is very reminiscent of early Amblin works mimicking the joyful and campy tone. It does make sense, considering Amblin Entertainment’s involvement in the production of this film but it is hilarious in a heartwarming sort of way.
Where the film shines, however, is with its cast. Glen Powell, is expectedly the standout, following a brilliant performance in Richard Linklater’s Hit Man last month, he over delivers here too, giving a charismatic performance that is captivating due to his charm and dynamic with the other performers. Daisy Edgar-Jones also demands attention every time she appears on screen and delivers an intense performance with the little nuanced material she was given.
Of the other characters present, Anthony Ramos’ Javier was surface level and unlikeable but was given little enough screentime for him to be a non-issue. Reduced to background cast, David Corenswet does a lot with what he was given, displaying good comedic timing, something Maura Tierney also did well with her role. However, due to the lack of supporting roles within the film, and lack of screen time for anyone not named Powell, Edgar-Jones or Ramos, the film does not feel completely fleshed out.
That’s what makes it similar to the first film, its disregard for complex storytelling and deep characters, instead focusing on dynamics between cast members and the weather, as well as each other. Which admittedly works in its favour, but ultimately stalls the film from becoming something great.
Twisters stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Katy O’Brian, David Corenswet, Maura Tierney, Daryl McCormack, and Harry Hadden-Paton. The film was directed by Lee Isaac Chung, produced by Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures and is in US theatres from July 19, 2024.
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