Sometimes lightning strikes with a movie. It’s a mix of timing, production, and audience appetite that can lead to a film becoming a summer hit. That’s what happened in 1996 when Twister hit theaters. It was a blockbuster, and revisiting it recently for Movies That Make Us, it’s still a fun movie that holds up. Lightning struck in 1996, but it rarely strikes twice. Twisters, the “sequel” to Twister, tries to capture that same magic. So, how does it compare?
Like the original, Twisters has a strong cast, plenty of action, and thrills, making it a heck of a ride. While technically a sequel, it’s more of a reboot. The only real nod to the original is the use of a Dorothy device in the beginning. The film stands on its own, following Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a grad student leading a team of other grad students in some field testing.After a tragedy during a storm, Kate leaves storm chasing behind. She trades Oklahoma plains for a desk in New York City, working for the National Weather Service.
Enter Javi (Anthony Ramos), an old friend, who finds Kate in New York and convinces her to return to storm chasing with cutting-edge tech. Reluctantly, she joins him in Oklahoma during a generational tornado season. There, she meets Javi’s team and Tyler (Glen Powell), a self-proclaimed “Tornado Wrangler” and YouTube megastar. Initially put off by Tyler’s cavalier ways, Kate’s team and Tyler’s team keep crossing paths, revealing deeper layers to their characters.
The cast is stellar. Daisy Edgar-Jones is likable and strong, convincingly the smartest in the room without being off-putting. Glen Powell is on his way to superstardom—he’s captivating and charming. Anthony Ramos, a favorite of mine since Hamilton, delivers a solid performance, though his character feels underdeveloped compared to the others, likely due to the writing.
The film is action-packed and engaging, despite a predictable story. We’ve seen this core plot many times, but here it works, allowing us to focus on the action without overthinking the story. It’s the epitome of a summer popcorn movie, delivering on its promise of tornado thrills. As the tornadoes intensify, I was glued to the screen, invested in the characters’ fates. This film did exactly what it set out to do.
Rural Oklahoma is almost a character itself, painting a picture of community and resilience in the face of disaster. It evokes a sense of homesickness for a place I’ve never visited. The song “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” by Luke Combs perfectly complements this vibe.
The visual effects and aesthetics were excellent in this movie. There were moments in the story where the characters were literally in the middle of a storm, and the camera work and special effects made me feel like I was right there with them. Granted, I’ve never been in the middle of a tornado, but this felt pretty real to me.
Overall, Twisters delivers. I laughed, had fun, felt tense moments, and enjoyed the movie. No wonder it’s been a summer hit, opening with $100 million and continuing to pull in audiences even against stiff competition from Deadpool and Wolverine. It’s maintaining momentum, bolstered by positive word of mouth.
I’d give Twisters 4 out of 5 stars. With all the action, it’s best experienced on the big screen. Due to the intensity, consider leaving younger kids at home, or see it first before deciding. That being said, my 12-year-old daughter saw it and loved it.
Twisters is currently in theaters everywhere. Check your local listings and go see it today!
Check out our Movies That Make Us episode on Twister (1996):
Summary
Twisters, a reboot rather than a true sequel to the 1996 hit Twister, delivers a thrilling summer movie experience. The film follows Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a former storm-chasing grad student, who returns to tornado territory with new tech and a team led by Javi (Anthony Ramos). They clash and bond with Tyler (Glen Powell), a social media-famous “Tornado Wrangler.” The cast shines, especially Edgar-Jones and Powell, while the action-packed, predictable plot keeps viewers engaged. Rural Oklahoma adds depth, complemented by Luke Combs’ song “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma.” Overall, Twisters is a must-see blockbuster that delivers fun, tension, and spectacular tornado thrills—4 out of 5 stars. Catch it in theaters now!
