Tags
1990's, Action, Adventure, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes, Disaster Film, Helen Hunt, Jami Gertz, Jan de Bont, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Twister
Film Title
Twister
Director
Jan de Bont
Starring
- Bill Paxton as Bill Harding
- Helen Hunt as Jo Harding
- Jami Gertz as Melissa Reeves
- Cary Elwes as Dr. Jonas Miller
- Philip Seymour Hoffman as Dusty
A tense, special effects laden disaster flick, Twister is big on the thrills that never let up and make it an extremely entertaining wild and windy flick. Simple in plot and characterizations it may be, but no one is going to watch this film for outstanding characters so just surrender to the white knuckle ride.
Bill Harding is a former storm chaser and weather researcher who has decided to settle down as he plans to marry his girlfriend Melissa and has recently become a television weather man. The problem is Bill’s estranged wife Jo(herself a meteorologist and fellow storm chaser) hasn’t signed the divorce papers yet after they separated some time before. Travelling with Melissa, he seeks out Jo, who is with a group of scientists in Oklahoma. The exceedingly driven Jo has managed to perfect a series of devices by the name of DOROTHY, which Bill had worked on when they were together. The devices function by releasing thousands of sensors into a tornado and getting important information( the catch being that you have to be very close to a tornado to enable it). With this knowledge they could glean from the device, they may be able to help create a more advanced storm warning system, resulting in less damage if people are informed much earlier. Yet his timing is just as a series of very destructive tornadoes are headed their way which Jo plans to tackle so that she can put the creation to good use. Soon, Bill’s wild desire to be a storm chaser again returns and he joins Jo on her mission to execute DOROTHY, much to the opposition of Melissa. The group also has to contend with and race against Dr. Jonas Miller, a slimy guy who ripped off their ideas and has created a similar device, though he’s had all the corporate sponsors and funding and is only in it for the money. Yet with each tornado becoming more destructive than the last, just how far are Jo and Bill willing to venture in the name of both science and adventure?
Jan de Bont is an exceptional director of action and his skill set can be viewed in various exciting ways during Twister. Utilizing swirling cameras and a lightning pace, de Bont never stops for breath once the tornadoes getting going. We are quite literally thrust into the terrifying but exhilarating path of the destructive tornadoes and what a blast it is. Through the use of special effects that still hold up remarkably well, the spectacle of each intense twister is marvellously executed. Standout scenes abound, especially the big finale tornado that finds Jo and Bill ducking for cover in a barn as it is ripped from around them until there’s nothing left. As I previously stated, character development and seriousness is not the order of the day here. Yet this doesn’t do detriment to Twister’s impact as it never sets up to be character driven or literate, instead opting for an extravaganza of action and danger. Sound design and effects are equally as excellent when it comes to simulating the intensity of Mother Nature and the destructive forces she can conjure up on an unsuspecting people. By far the biggest stars of this film are the tornadoes themselves, as they make for very memorable visions of destruction and terror. A rousing musical score from Mark Mancina mixed in with rock songs from Van Halen is very effective and furthers the feeling of action and tension that the team encounters along the dangerous journey.
While the characters are somewhat thinly drawn, the cast is mostly impressive. Playing the estranged couple and fellow storm chasers, Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt are very good; bringing out more character than was probably written on the page. Both get across the collective desires and obsession to put their device into use and how these aspirations are what leads them both into the harmful path of near death in the cross-hairs of oncoming storms. A weak spot in the generally good acting is Jami Gertz as Bill’s terrified and annoying fiancée. She is only required in the film to berate and shriek as loud as she can and the sole purpose of her is so that Bill will visit Jo. Cary Elwes does the slime ball shtick very well as the villainous opposition who wants to use the storms as a way to make money. The rest of the science team have roles that generally all blend together, which lets the excellent Philip Seymour Hoffman stand out as the hyperactive Dusty, who lives for the thrill like no other.
So while character development is clearly on the back burner, Twister is all about the danger and destruction and in both aspects it succeeds with sensational results. Don’t look for any logic here, just sit back, fetch some popcorn and enjoy this roller coaster of a film.
beetleypete said:
I always have time for Helen Hunt. One of the better American actresses, marvellous in ‘As Good As It gets’ (1997). The whole cast is secondary to the well-executed special effects in this film though, as you point out. The storm scenes are very well done indeed. Often on telly too, so free to watch!
Best wishes, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Yes I too admire Helen Hunt. She gives off such a natural presence when acting. This movie is fab to just kick back and relax too when there’s nothing else on.
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The Telltale Mind said:
Seen this one a hundred times. Always a good watch.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a great movie to just slip on and marvel at the action.
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allendemir said:
I probably saw it just as much as a kid, since my mom watched it religiously.
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vinnieh said:
There are tons of film that I watched religiously as a young kid.
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Anna (Film Grimoire) said:
Nice one Vinnie. I loved this film when I was younger. Perhaps it’s worth the rewatch!
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vinnieh said:
Hi Anna, yes I think this movie is a good one to see again for a sense of excitement.
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vanbytheriver said:
One of the best. And that table scene at Aunt Meg’s ? Every time my family saw it, we all wanted steak and eggs !! ☺
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vinnieh said:
That scene made me feel so hungry.
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Parlor of Horror said:
There was some hate for this film back in the day but I loved it. I fell right into the action and atmosphere of storm chasing and went along for the ride.
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vinnieh said:
I too loved it the first time I saw it around the age of 8, way after it was released. It’s a wild ride indeed.
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ruth said:
Hi Vin! I remember being quite entertained by this. It was one of the better disaster films I think, but like Independence Day, you can’t overthink it, ahah.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a movie that you switch off your brain to and just enjoy the spectacle of it all. If you overthink it, you’ll get a headache.
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fragglerocking said:
I’m going to have to re watch this, been a long time and I can’t remember the plot 😀😀
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vinnieh said:
It’s worthy of a rewatch Fraggle, you’ll have a lot of fun with it.
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ninvoid99 said:
Philip Seymour Hoffman made that film for me as he was the best thing in the film.
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vinnieh said:
He was great, I always loved him as an actor. Still can’t believe he’s gone.
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ninvoid99 said:
Same here.
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vinnieh said:
At least there is his large and eclectic body of work to remember his talents by.
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riversofgrue said:
Great analysis of the perfect popcorn movie.
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vinnieh said:
This movie is perfect switch your brain off and just revel in the effects and action present.
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emmakwall said:
Haha, Twister! I don’t mind this movie at all 🙂 definitely one you let stay on if it’s showing on TV.
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vinnieh said:
Oh very much so, I just grab me some snacks and chill out too.
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HusbandAndHusband said:
Aaron and I just watched this movie and I forgot how much I did like it. You’re right its about the action.
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vinnieh said:
The story is secondary as the action is so strong.
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kelleysdiy said:
I enjoyed this movie so much….Ending was awesome.
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vinnieh said:
It is an awesome film. Full on action and adventure of the highest order.
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kelleysdiy said:
One of those..sitting on the edge of your seat..movies!
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vinnieh said:
You took the words right out of my mouth.
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kelleysdiy said:
Yep!
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