Car chases, romance, science experiments, cowboys – Twisters has it all!
Words: Rahnie Harris
Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is an American Meteorologist and retired storm chaser who, in the hopes of revisiting her dream of taming a tornado, is persuaded to spend a week in Oklahoma. She is met with new technology, new people, and new fears — but the same old Oklahoma weather guides her along the hero’s path.
Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) is an obnoxious internet personality and Kate’s storm-chasing rival; a character who has an unexpected depth and kindness by the film’s end. Powell’s charm and charisma almost make the audience forget Tyler’s ridiculousness and over-the-top persona.
Although Edgar-Jones misses the mark with her attempt at an American southern accent, her stellar performance makes up for the sometimes exaggerated, sometimes non-existent drawl. She brings a warmth and passion to her character, without which Kate risks boring the audience and falling flat.
If audiences can suspend their disbelief and simply enjoy the spectacle, Twisters will exceed expectations.
Much of the plot is weak and lacks resolution, but Twisters is not the movie for getting caught up in minutiae. This film’s goal is in creating an experience for its viewers, focusing on curating an excellent soundtrack and producing high-quality special effects, rather than exploring how severe weather permanently changes the lives of survivors or influences local and national politics. If audiences can suspend their disbelief and simply enjoy the spectacle, Twisters will exceed expectations.
As an Oklahoman myself I’ve lived through my fair share of tornado scares, and Twisters authentically captures both the fear and excitement of the season’s first big storm. Fast-paced, tense, and electrifying moments are followed by tender scenes of friendship and sweetness that, despite the sensationalized weather forecasts and dramatization of storm chasing, make the important parts of the film feel grounded in reality.
Twisters authentically captures both the fear and excitement of the season’s first big storm
The film’s incorporation of careful details throughout, like using real, local meteorologists and emphasizing Oklahoma’s natural beauty, help to keep it from drifting too far into the realm of camp. While some aspects remain gimmicky (rival storm chasing gangs don’t exist in Oklahoma and even the most experienced storm chasers never release fireworks into the funnel of a tornado), they strike a harmonious balance with elements of real destruction to create an equally fun and suspenseful cinematic experience.
Twisters is out at Broadway now
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