Twisters
Twisters is playing in theaters at the time of writing. Rated PG-13. Common Sense says 12+.
Kate Conrad (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is a retired tornado chaser turned meteorologist. One day an old friend persuades her to get back in the chasing game. Will she be able to rekindle her skills and make a difference, or will the reckless Tyler (Glen Powell) chase her away?
STORY: B+
A very predictable tale (in the very best way).
Ever stand in a long line before getting on a roller coaster? Whenever I have to, I always take the time to memorize the entire track by the time I get to the front. Every drop. Every loop. Every twist.
Knowing every part of the ride makes me love it even more. Any time the ride lets me catch my breath, I grin in giddy anticipation because I know exactly what’s coming next.
Most of us have seen tons of movies like Twisters before. It’s never hard to guess what will happen next. But in a way, that makes it even better. That’s part of its charm.
PEOPLE: A-
This film doesn’t need great acting, but it’s got it.
Daisy Edgar-Jones is fantastic. She’s able to portray any emotion with the perfect amount of conviction. But her best moments come when her sass gets the chance to slap all the pestering people who keep popping up in her path.
Glen Powell gets (and deserves) much of that sass. His Tyler deserves a spot on the “Dudes You Love to Hate” edition of Mt. Rushmore. In fact, once we get to see him as a full human being, his performance loses a little juice.
FILM NERD STUFF: A
These tornadoes are unreal (in both senses of the word).
The CGI work is fantastic. The layers of cloud are detailed and eerie. Various airborne items of the countryside (barbed wire fencing, windmill arms, various barnyard animals of all sizes) fly by with verve and vigor. You’ll feel like you’re watching someone play a really amazing video game.
It’s a blast. All of the thrilling CGI wizardry makes it easy to forgive the ridiculousness and inconsistencies among the storms.
THE BIG LESSON: B
A great way to live a life: don’t just face your fears, face them in a way that helps the world.
Tyler loves getting as close to tornadoes as humanly possible. It’s a thrill, and something he makes money from. He hollers and laughs and whoops it up in his videos, but you also get the sense he’s never quite that happy when the cameras aren’t around.
Kate has given up chasing after a terrible accident. She’s stopped facing her fears entirely.
Both of them finally transform into the best versions of themselves once they find a new reason to face their fears. One that’s about more than just themselves. Every benefit you get from facing your fears sticks around and becomes permanent when you attach that deed to something that’s bigger than you.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Bloom where you’re planted?” Twisters knows where it’s planted: smack dab in the middle of popcorn/action/summer movie season. And there it blooms (at least until it gets uprooted by an E5).
One of the most admirable things about this movie is how well it knows itself. It doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is. And it fully commits to being the best version of itself that it can possibly be.
Plant yourself in the closest theater and take this film for a spin.