What could be described as an AI generated nostalgic summer blockbuster, ‘Twisters’ makes you feel like you’re back in the 90’s or 2000’s era of summer flicks. The charm of the leads and the epic set pieces fuel what will likely be a lot of people’s favorite movie of the summer season. Needless to say, “IF YOU FEEL IT, CHASE IT!”

‘Twisters’ stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kate, a tornado chaser dealing with the yips due to a previous experience that has caused her trauma, along with her friend Javi, portrayed by Anthony Ramos. The first 15 to 20 minutes of ‘Twisters’ heavily leans into their background and story of where they were and are now. While the dynamic is interesting and a great way to showcase how Kate needs to grow during a film about Tornados, the real fun doesn’t truly start until Tom Cruise Jr. AKA Glen Powell rolls in on a big red pickup truck while country music plays.

Powell’s Tyler Owens is a self dubbed ‘Tornado Wrangler’ who with along with his crew are youtubers providing cinematic content of tornado chasing to their 1 million subscribers. I thought it was a genius idea to make them content creators as the thrill seekers do bring the energy to a film that desperately needs to just be fun. The first storm chase we see with Tyler ends with them launching god damn fireworks up into a tornado. It is all so beautifully stupid, and if you don’t buy into it early, I’m afraid the rest of the ride won’t get better for you.

Unfortunately I do think the film drags a bit after an epic scene at the rodeo, as Kate and Tyler fight to survive in an underground pool. Luckily this whole set piece does help flesh out the tension that has been ongoing between Tyler and Kate. It becomes quite obvious that when Kate drives back to see her mom they were hoping Helen Hunt was going to pickup the phone and sign on to be the legacy character as Kate’s mom. I don’t know if she was busy or just didn’t want to but instead Kate’s mom has no ties to the original, but is portrayed well by Maura Tierney. Ironically I think it was to ‘Twisters’ benefit to have no direct relations to the original, outside of the old hunk of a junk Dorothy, and stand on its own without relying on nostalgia or cheap gimmicks.

To its core, ‘Twisters’ never lets up and despite a little lull in between the 2nd and 3rd acts major set pieces, always delivers what you came there to see. It is also worth the wait as you are rewarded with a fucking FIRE TORNADO towards the end of the film, but while the tornados are a star, the one that continues to shine brightest is Glen Powell as his charisma and chemistry with the whole cast makes even the quiet scenes of the film memorable. Also their is a major tightass in this movie and he’s our next superman, if he can play a square well, I have hope for that film to deliver as well.

3.5/5 stars

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