Can you stop a tornado? Audiences flocked to theaters this summer to see if the new disaster flick Twisters answered this question. The movie, a standalone sequel to the beloved and groundbreaking Twister (1996), centers around a former storm chaser from Oklahoma, Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), and her reluctant return to the tornado-chasing game to help her friend Javi (Anthony Ramos) with his tornado imaging research.
Kate’s return comes just five years after an unthinkable tragedy that made her pack up and move to New York to work at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Javi’s team, STORM PAR, comes into conflict with a tornado-chasing YouTuber named Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) and his rowdy crew, as they believe that Owens and his fellow “Tornado-Wranglers” are amateurish and full of flash but no substance. Owens’ crew isn’t too keen on the STORM PAR workers either, and throughout the rest of the movie, the two groups clash and tease between tornados until they have to work together.
I don’t usually like disaster movies, but I was excited to see Twisters, though I have to admit that I was a little skeptical because of this usual preference. I also have to admit that I have never seen the 1996 original movie, so I was worried I would be missing some context from the first film. However, I had nothing to worry about. Though disaster films often focus on the mass destruction of cities, with residents being completely unaware of the danger, Twisters takes place in Tornado Alley in Oklahoma. Oklahomans are used to the threat of tornadoes, and this underlying knowledge of the possibility of destruction is the backbone of the film. They don’t let the danger stop them from living despite the commonality of these disasters, which is an inspiring show of resilience that helps Kate on her journey to healing from her past storm trauma.
I loved the humor and heart that was integral to the story, and the rapport between the characters was delightful. The one little problem I had with Twisters was how Kate’s tornado-related PTSD was treated. Although she agreed to go wrangling again, it seemed like she was guilted into it, and pushed into the most intense parts of the wrangling process as soon as she arrived back in Oklahoma. The lack of care or acknowledgment shown towards her mental health and recovery process was uncomfortable for me. I was also curious about the accuracy of some of the science, which seemed a little far-fetched.
So is it truly possible to stop a tornado? The short answer is no, according to NOAA. Though real NOAA research on tornadoes and storm patterns was used and researchers from the agency served as extras in several of the film’s wrangling scenes, the science of Kate’s tornado-choking chemical mixture has no basis in research and is most likely impossible. Even if it was somehow viable, the ratio of chemicals she releases compared to the enormity of the tornado would not be enough to make any type of meaningful difference. The implausibility of some of the science doesn’t ruin the movie, however.
Twisters may not be perfect, but the heartfelt moments, humor, and thrills make this summer blockbuster worth a watch. It might just blow you away!
Final Verdict: 9/10
