Glen Powell as Tyler Daisy and Edgar-Jones as Kate in Twisters, directed by Lee Isaac Chung. © Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Photo credit: Melinda Sue Gordon
Twisters is like finding a pin in a candy bar. This CGI spectacle is dumb fun from a certain perspective, the one that can’t wait to turn it into a drinking game. However, tilt your head slightly, and you’ll see some unsettling subtext. If that term caused any eyes to roll, make no mistake Twisters is a thrill ride disaster flick, ideally seen on the big screen. Yet, it’s hard to shake what this movie is saying.
The film opens with Kate played by Daisy Edgar-Jones (Where the Crawdads Sing). She’s a storm chaser who thinks she can dissipate tornadoes. Her experiment fails, and a twister kills most of her closest friends. Five years later, the only other survivor of her failure recruits her to use military technology to better analyze the data from tornadoes. Reluctantly, Kate agrees, yet her haunting past imperils success. It’s not until she embraces the folksy wisdom of internet sensation Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) that she conquers fear and the pesky menace of cyclones --- fuck you nature!
If that were all that Twisters amounted to it would be a delight. The visuals effects are top notch. The sound is gloriously encompassing. The soundtrack is ludicrously on the nose to the point of being comical. It’s hard not to enjoy the spectacle.
The film opens with Kate played by Daisy Edgar-Jones (Where the Crawdads Sing). She’s a storm chaser who thinks she can dissipate tornadoes. Her experiment fails, and a twister kills most of her closest friends. Five years later, the only other survivor of her failure recruits her to use military technology to better analyze the data from tornadoes. Reluctantly, Kate agrees, yet her haunting past imperils success. It’s not until she embraces the folksy wisdom of internet sensation Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) that she conquers fear and the pesky menace of cyclones --- fuck you nature!
If that were all that Twisters amounted to it would be a delight. The visuals effects are top notch. The sound is gloriously encompassing. The soundtrack is ludicrously on the nose to the point of being comical. It’s hard not to enjoy the spectacle.
(from left) Boone (Brandon Perea), Ben (Harry Hadden-Paton) and Tyler (Glen Powell) in Twisters, directed by Lee Isaac Chung. © Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Photo credit: Melinda Sue Gordon.
However, certain elements of the film are built around thematic notions which are hard to chew. Swallowed whole, Twisters doesn’t seem like anything other than junk food but there’re unpleasant chemicals in the mix. For instance, there is a rampant anti-intellectualism throughout the film.
Twisters regularly implies scientists are grifters who only care about money. Although the premise is predicated on the real life rise in tornado outbreaks and ferocity, the film never mentions global warming or climate change as the cause. It’s simply treated as something that happens, perhaps seasonally --- get used to it. Harry Hadden-Paton (Downtown Abbey) plays Ben, a British journalist who is constantly whimpering in terror or vomiting in fright. But y’all know how gutless those phony European journalists in the fake news media are, right? Meanwhile, country music clichés are a sign of honest individuals; more than once I imagined hearing Bob Seger singing “Like a Rock” as someone strutted to or from a pickup. And finally, Twisters passionately embraces the very hubris that causes every Jurassic Park disaster, portraying nature as something humanity can conquer… as we should, Genesis 1:28.
I mentioned an inevitable drinking game produced by this film --- take a drink whenever someone mentions meteorological jargon. One aspect of that game will undoubtedly require taking a shot every time an American flag appears on screen. Main character Kate actually has a character shift after donning an American flag shirt while camerawork emphasizes her wearing it --- the audience is meant to notice the Star-Spangled banner. That’s because there’s an absurd degree of pandering to redneck patriotism in Twisters which isn’t as bad as the implication that internet influencers are good people looking out for the best interests of the world.
Twisters regularly implies scientists are grifters who only care about money. Although the premise is predicated on the real life rise in tornado outbreaks and ferocity, the film never mentions global warming or climate change as the cause. It’s simply treated as something that happens, perhaps seasonally --- get used to it. Harry Hadden-Paton (Downtown Abbey) plays Ben, a British journalist who is constantly whimpering in terror or vomiting in fright. But y’all know how gutless those phony European journalists in the fake news media are, right? Meanwhile, country music clichés are a sign of honest individuals; more than once I imagined hearing Bob Seger singing “Like a Rock” as someone strutted to or from a pickup. And finally, Twisters passionately embraces the very hubris that causes every Jurassic Park disaster, portraying nature as something humanity can conquer… as we should, Genesis 1:28.
I mentioned an inevitable drinking game produced by this film --- take a drink whenever someone mentions meteorological jargon. One aspect of that game will undoubtedly require taking a shot every time an American flag appears on screen. Main character Kate actually has a character shift after donning an American flag shirt while camerawork emphasizes her wearing it --- the audience is meant to notice the Star-Spangled banner. That’s because there’s an absurd degree of pandering to redneck patriotism in Twisters which isn’t as bad as the implication that internet influencers are good people looking out for the best interests of the world.
(from left) Lily (Sasha Lane) and Tyler (Glen Powell) in Twisters, directed by Lee Isaac Chung. © Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Photo credit: Melinda Sue Gordon
That latter one is especially odd since Glen Powell (Hitman) plays a character who is completely unlikeable, a cocky cowboy who deserves a caning. It’s a testament to his performance that he comes across at all charming. His band of merry misfits pride themselves on having no book learnin’, and he downplays his higher education around them, often acting embarrassed to have one, preferring his meteorological deductions to seem mystical rather than shamefully scientific.
He and his crew then barrel into situations towing a group of lookie-loos into gawking at dangerous cyclones for pics --- #TikTokTornado. While they recklessly treat twisters like amusement rides, the film insists that’s okay because they use any money earned for charity. The filmmakers even go so far as to depict the influencer and their fans like some ideal community, singing songs around parking lot campfires waiting for the next storm to chase; drinking beers in celebration of shooting fireworks up a tornado as if that accomplished anything other than look cool. Furthermore, Tyler’s respect for nature is not because it’s an uncontrollable danger that has zero regard for them, but because tornadoes are proof of the divine. (At one point, a character outright says the tornadoes seem to be acting consciously.)
Don’t get me wrong. There is some positive messaging here. Kate is a great example of representation sure to piss off disingenuous critics. They’ll complain about her preternatural ability to predict tornado movements even though Glen Powell’s got the same skill. What’s more, it’s adequately explained by the film. What Twisters gets right is showing a multifaceted person who developed skills over a lifetime that can fail and come back from failure to finally reach their goal. The fact she’s a woman makes it a plus for representation, but the idea is universally appealing.
He and his crew then barrel into situations towing a group of lookie-loos into gawking at dangerous cyclones for pics --- #TikTokTornado. While they recklessly treat twisters like amusement rides, the film insists that’s okay because they use any money earned for charity. The filmmakers even go so far as to depict the influencer and their fans like some ideal community, singing songs around parking lot campfires waiting for the next storm to chase; drinking beers in celebration of shooting fireworks up a tornado as if that accomplished anything other than look cool. Furthermore, Tyler’s respect for nature is not because it’s an uncontrollable danger that has zero regard for them, but because tornadoes are proof of the divine. (At one point, a character outright says the tornadoes seem to be acting consciously.)
Don’t get me wrong. There is some positive messaging here. Kate is a great example of representation sure to piss off disingenuous critics. They’ll complain about her preternatural ability to predict tornado movements even though Glen Powell’s got the same skill. What’s more, it’s adequately explained by the film. What Twisters gets right is showing a multifaceted person who developed skills over a lifetime that can fail and come back from failure to finally reach their goal. The fact she’s a woman makes it a plus for representation, but the idea is universally appealing.
Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kate in Twisters, directed by Lee Isaac Chung. © Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Photo credit: Melinda Sue Gordon.
Perhaps another oddly positive note is this disaster flick’s attempt to show devastation. The consequences of tornados destroying homes, leaving people with nothing but ruin is put on display. It’s meant to add weight to the destruction, while never once slowing down the CGI carnage. That makes it like visiting shark attack victims in the hospital right before cutting to more scenes of people getting savagely bit.
Unfortunately, Twisters never embraces the absurdity of its plot. There’s nothing tongue-in-cheek about this movie. The cast also plays it straight, only leaning towards comedy when characters get snarky with one another. Director Lee Isaac Chung captures some excellent moments while the script by Mark L. Smith establishes a solid premise alongside quality action set pieces. Yet, the film is predictable from its opening calamity to obvious end. Thankfully, a solid cast keeps what little momentum the movie has going when not being fueled by computer generated catastrophes.
Daisy Edgar-Jones seems honestly broken, someone struggling to overcome an honest mistake that scarred her life. Yet, she shows strength in the right moments, exposing her vulnerability only when it can’t be contained. Glen Powell is delightfully cocky as a YouTube Pecos Bill. However, his crew, composed of Sasha Lane (How to Blow Up a Pipeline), Brandon Perea (Nope), Tunde Adebimpe (Marriage Story), and Katy O’Brian (Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania), though all perform well their characters have little substance. They’re a flock of misfits colorfully juxtaposed against the bland team Kate becomes a part of. That group has even less personality, save for her friend Javi, played by Anthony Ramos (In the Heights) who ably portrays a conflicted person with survivor’s guilt trying to use weather science to benefit crooked real estate dealers.
Unfortunately, Twisters never embraces the absurdity of its plot. There’s nothing tongue-in-cheek about this movie. The cast also plays it straight, only leaning towards comedy when characters get snarky with one another. Director Lee Isaac Chung captures some excellent moments while the script by Mark L. Smith establishes a solid premise alongside quality action set pieces. Yet, the film is predictable from its opening calamity to obvious end. Thankfully, a solid cast keeps what little momentum the movie has going when not being fueled by computer generated catastrophes.
Daisy Edgar-Jones seems honestly broken, someone struggling to overcome an honest mistake that scarred her life. Yet, she shows strength in the right moments, exposing her vulnerability only when it can’t be contained. Glen Powell is delightfully cocky as a YouTube Pecos Bill. However, his crew, composed of Sasha Lane (How to Blow Up a Pipeline), Brandon Perea (Nope), Tunde Adebimpe (Marriage Story), and Katy O’Brian (Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania), though all perform well their characters have little substance. They’re a flock of misfits colorfully juxtaposed against the bland team Kate becomes a part of. That group has even less personality, save for her friend Javi, played by Anthony Ramos (In the Heights) who ably portrays a conflicted person with survivor’s guilt trying to use weather science to benefit crooked real estate dealers.
Glen Powell as Tyler in Twisters, directed by Lee Isaac Chung. © Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Photo credit: Melinda Sue Gordon
Twisters is nowhere near the worst movie I’ve seen this year. That honor still belongs to Argylle which physically hurt to watch. There is an entertaining quality to this movie.
A lot of the praise for this picture will undoubtedly settle on Twisters being glorious eye candy, perfect for the big screen. To that I present zero disagreement. Twisters is a deafening spectacle. Yet, all movies have a message. The fact that this film never really leans into its absurdity like other action extravaganzas implies it wants to be taken somewhat seriously, and as such, its messages need to be acknowledged.
On one hand, Twisters is a wild ride through a storm of spectacular visuals. The absurd plot somehow stays serious thanks to a stellar cast, though the narrative suffers from painful predictability. On the other, Twisters implies a yeehaw notion of the United States where scientists are grifters, climate change doesn’t exist even as a concept, and even if it did humanity can wrangle nature into submission thanks to country music clichés come to life. Either which way, if you can turn off your brain, delight in this junk food side show, but be ready if something doesn’t sit right in your stomach.
A lot of the praise for this picture will undoubtedly settle on Twisters being glorious eye candy, perfect for the big screen. To that I present zero disagreement. Twisters is a deafening spectacle. Yet, all movies have a message. The fact that this film never really leans into its absurdity like other action extravaganzas implies it wants to be taken somewhat seriously, and as such, its messages need to be acknowledged.
On one hand, Twisters is a wild ride through a storm of spectacular visuals. The absurd plot somehow stays serious thanks to a stellar cast, though the narrative suffers from painful predictability. On the other, Twisters implies a yeehaw notion of the United States where scientists are grifters, climate change doesn’t exist even as a concept, and even if it did humanity can wrangle nature into submission thanks to country music clichés come to life. Either which way, if you can turn off your brain, delight in this junk food side show, but be ready if something doesn’t sit right in your stomach.
RSS Feed
