Twisters - Stormy return or quiet cinema?
Catastrophe films experienced a boom in the 90s. From "Armageddon" to "Deep Impact," from "Dante's Peak" to "Volcano": filmmakers took great pleasure in destroying the world, or at least a part of it. Among them, the film "Twister" from 1996, starring Bill Paxton (1955-2017) and Helen Hunt (61), stood out. Even more than Bruce Willis (69) heroics in "Armageddon," the film directed by Jan de Bont (80) with its quirky story and unwillingness to take itself seriously, was a hit.
Thirty years later, on July 18, the sequel to "Twister," as the title suggests, will be stormier than the original. Fans of "Twister" can prepare themselves - and what they shouldn't?
The Danger is on the Horizon - that's the point
Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar-Jones, 26), a former storm chaser, experienced a devastating tornado during her college years and now studies storms safely on her computer screen in New York City. Her friend Javi convinces her to test a new location system in the field. There she meets Tyler Owens (Glen Powell, 35), a charming but also reckless social media superstar who loves to post his storm adventures with his wild crew - the more dangerous, the better.
A New Generation of Storm Chasers
"Twisters" can be considered an independent sequel to "Twister." That means, it takes place in the same universe, but none of the main characters from the original return. In Bill Paxton's case, that wouldn't have been possible, as the star passed away in 2017 at the age of 61 during heart surgery.
Newcomers to "Twisters" don't need to worry about not knowing the original to follow the plot. It should be clear to everyone that the plot is not the main reason to watch a disaster film. Of course, the morbid fascination with nature's destructive power and the pathetic attempt to solve the problem are the focus. In the same way, "Top Gun: Maverick," in which Glen Powell also starred, already managed to excite the cinema audience. And since technology has advanced significantly in the past 28 years, "Twisters" certainly has its justification. At least it should offer visuals that go beyond a decent, passing cow.
- Bill Paxton's charismatic performance in the 1996 film "Twister" made it a standout catastrophe film of the 90s, alongside movies like "Armageddon" starring Bruce Willis.
- The upcoming sequel to "Twister," titled "Twisters," promises to be more intense than its predecessor, with fans eagerly anticipating its release on July 18.
- In the new film, Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Kate Cooper, a former storm chaser traumatized by a tornado during her college years, now studying storms safely from her computer in New York City.
- The "Twisters" sequel introduces a new generation of storm chasers, with Glen Powell's character, Tyler Owens, a charming yet reckless social media star who seeks out dangerous storms for his fans.
- Director Jan de Bont, who brought a quirky and humorously serious approach to disaster films with "Twister," returns to oversee the production of "Twisters," ensuring a continuation of the original's unique tone.
- As technology has advanced in the past 28 years, fans of the original "Twister" can expect visionary special effects in the sequel, making for a more immersive and exhilarating experience than the 1996 film.
