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It took a lot of years and many attempts but the sequel to the 1996 film, Twister is finally here! Really, it was the sequel I didn’t know we wanted. 

wb warner bros. pictures warner bros warner bros. ent 2024 warner bros. ent all rights reserved 200 amblin entertainment twisters chase. ride. survive. this film is not yet rated in theaters july imax® universal ⓒ2024 universal studios, warner bros. ent&amblin entertainment, inc. imax is a registered trademark of imax corporation. a comcast company

Everything is getting a sequel or becoming a franchise so it is not surprising. But does this pass the test of still being entertaining, pulling at your heartstrings, and memorable? I would say yes, remarkably it does. Unfortunately, it has been widespread news that it is not connected to the original. None of the previous characters are coming back. It never stopped me from still anticipating something, a nod, a wink, something. (I will say, Glen Powell’s character mentions an aunt and my first thought was, Helen Hunt’s character! We never do get a name so one can only hope.) 

A month before its official release, I was lucky to be able to see the first public screening in Chicago. The director, Lee Isaac Chung, and fellow Chicagoans, actor, Brandon Perea, and producer, Ashley Jay Sandberg.

They came to the front of the AMC theater and shared that they just finished the effects last week and we are the first audience to see the official final cut. Chicago was particularly special for Perea and Sandberg where they grew up. They had family and friends attending to support them. It was the first stop in the big promotional tour. Sandberg also noted that we were also watching in a movie theater, having a shared experience and meant to be loud and to enjoy! 

Soon the lights dimmed, I got cozy in the fancy seats and we watched a movie for the first time with a bunch of strangers. Let me tell you, this is one of those movies you should see in theaters, with a group of strangers! My friend kept looking at me because I kept squirming, shrieking, and grabbing her arm during intense tornado scenes! A big applause happened when Brandon Perea made his big entrance, right behind arguably, lead male actor, Glen Powell but that probably won’t happen when you see it. Again, we were with Perea and his family and friends. I will say, he does steal some scenes with his clever delivery of fun lines.

I did not watch the first film right before seeing this one. I remember the first one sharing a little bit more technical background so we could follow what they were referring to. For instance the number scale of a tornado. In this film, they just spew the numbers as if we are supposed to know and it took a while for me to follow. 

But overall, I think this film did a great job of incorporating modern technology, had good pacing, moved nicely along and the leads did a great job of carrying the film. 

The negatives: 

  • Daisy Edgar Jones’ accent does not stay consistent. Her British accent is never apparent but she is supposed to be from Oklahoma but she loses her Southern twang so that was a bit annoying. If it was on purpose, it wasn’t clear. 
  • Anthony Ramos’ character is not a good friend, period! The film establishes each group well and Ramos and Edgar Jones are a team from the beginning who suffer an incredible loss. However, he is ignoring an obvious trauma for himself and definitely for her. It was frustrating to see, especially when we saw the film do a good job in other aspects. 

The positives: 

  • The modern technology is nicely mentioned. For instance, they are using 3D imaging tools to study the tornados and there is a line, “Anyone with a $10 weather app is here” for the tornado chase-wannabes. 
  • They also show the popularity of influencers. Powell’s character is a YouTuber with a huge following as a storm and tornado chaser. He even has a t-shirt and entourage (we were gifted said t-shirt actually at the screening and gotta say, does not look like him). It made me think that if these guys were real, they would be on @influencersinthewild, anything for a view! 

SPOILERS: 

(from left) Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Director Lee Isaac Chung on the set of Twisters.

  • No cow was stuck in a tornado unlike in the first one. 
  • There are fireworks launched in a tornado though. 
  • And when we were told when you cannot go in a basement, you need to find a room without windows for shelter during a tornado, a movie theater came in handy which was comforting.

So all in all, I say this is a sequel worth its predecessor and worth your time, especially in a movie theater!