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Twisters: Cash-Grab Remake or Refreshing Standalone?

I went into Twisters expecting yet another cash-grab remake, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The trailers might have suggested this film was just another addition to the franchise, but it turned out to be a lot more than that.

Image by DVD Release Dates

Twisters feels like a movie that could have stood on its own, independent of the franchise. However, like most movies today, it was anchored by a known brand for "visibility." I'm sure this is a marketing decision, but it highlights an industry trend where every new release is tagged as part of an existing series. The only real connections to the original Twister are the tornadoes (obviously) and the machine, Dorothy, designed to capture measurements from within the storm. Interestingly, the film could have completely ditched Dorothy, and it wouldn't have mattered. It was not a central focus of this story.

Character-Driven Drama: More Than Just Storm Chasers

Much like the original Twister, this film revolves around storm chasers, but this time, it prioritizes character-driven drama rather than just storm-chasing spectacle. I love the original film, but even as a fan, I acknowledge its flaws, especially in character development and progression.

In Twisters, every character had a purpose, a backstory, and significance. In contrast, many of the side characters in the original felt like they were just along for the ride. Here, the narrative and character arcs are thoughtfully intertwined, giving everyone a role to play and a moment to shine.


Image by Empire Online

A Unique Scientific Angle on Tornadoes

The story brings a unique perspective on dealing with tornadoes. I'm not a scientist, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of the science involved, but it offered a good angle to explore. The bait-and-switch early in the movie caught me off guard, turning my initial assumptions on their head. This twist is executed well, thanks to the well-crafted characters whose backstories unfold naturally without the crutch of exposition.

Image by The Direct

Age and Believability: Kate's Youthful Charisma

I couldn't quite buy into Kate, the main actress's age, given the depth of her role and achievements. She seemed a bit young to fit the part, but this observation didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the film. It was just a small nitpick in an otherwise engaging performance.

Image by The Hollywood Reporter

Grounded Reality: A Step Away from Ridiculousness

Compared to the original, Twisters feels more grounded in reality. The original pushed the boundaries of believability with Joe and Bill driving a truck through a house and a tornado picking up a tanker truck but leaving the characters untouched. In this film, while there are moments that stretch believability, they are more restrained, which was a refreshing change.

Image by IMDb

Humor and Timing: Forced Rather Than Natural

One area where this version lacked was humor. The original Twister had well-timed comedic moments that fit naturally into the narrative. While Twisters had its share of humor, it often felt forced rather than flowing organically from the characters or situations.

Image by People

Mother-Daughter Dynamics: A Missed Opportunity

The introduction of Kate's mother late in the film was another aspect that didn’t quite hit the mark. In the original, Joe's Aunt was seamlessly integrated into the story, providing emotional stakes when the tornado threatens her. In contrast, Kate’s mother feels more like a “need to have” addition rather than a meaningful part of the plot. The movie suggests a strained relationship between Kate and her mother, yet offers little explanation or indication of this dynamic when they are together.

Image by Mashable

A Drawn-Out Finale: Stretching the Runtime

The ending felt more drawn out than necessary. What could have been a concise 10-minute conclusion was stretched to nearly half an hour, likely contributing to the film’s longer runtime compared to the original.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’d give Twisters a 7.5 out of 10. As a remake, it manages to carve out a voice of its own, standing against the gigantic shadow cast by the original movie. More importantly, it possesses a soul, something that many films in this age sorely lack. Twisters might not be perfect, but it offers a refreshing take on a familiar story with a character-driven focus that resonates.


Pros:

  • Surprisingly Refreshing: Defies the typical cash-grab expectations, offering more substance.
  • Character-Driven Story: Focuses on character development and personal arcs, giving each character significance.
  • Unique Scientific Perspective: Offers an interesting angle on tornadoes, even if the science is questionable.
  • Grounded Reality: More believable than the original, with a restrained approach to its more absurd moments.
  • Engaging Character Backstories: Characters' backstories unfold naturally without reliance on exposition.
  • Well-Executed Bait-and-Switch: Successfully subverts expectations with a clever plot twist.

    • Cons:

  • Forced Humor: Lacks the natural comedic timing of the original, with humor feeling somewhat contrived.
  • Unnecessary Franchise Labeling: Feels anchored to a known brand for visibility, even though it could stand alone.
  • Kate’s Age: Main actress seems a bit young for her role, although this doesn’t majorly impact the film.
  • Mother-Daughter Dynamic: The introduction of Kate's mother feels unnecessary and lacks depth.
  • Drawn-Out Ending: The finale is stretched longer than needed, adding to the film’s runtime.

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