Entertainment Blog #265 | Twister [1996] : Before Watching the Remake...

The remake of the 1996 Twister movie is on the verge of hitting the streaming services. it is reported to be released to VOD after a successful box-office record on 13th August. I remember watching the original movie on ITN but it was a long time ago. So I decided to watch it to compare and contrast the two versions. So, here we go...

"Twister" immerses viewers in the chaotic world of storm chasers, blending the thrill of high-stakes adventure with the sobering reality of natural disasters. At its core, the film explores the relentless pursuit of knowledge against the backdrop of personal turmoil, mirroring the struggles many face when balancing professional passion with personal responsibilities. The movie’s portrayal of characters driven by both trauma and ambition resonates with anyone who has chased their dreams while grappling with their past.

Released on May 10, 1996, "Twister" is a disaster film directed by Jan de Bont and penned by Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin. The production was spearheaded by notable figures including Crichton, Kathleen Kennedy, and Ian Bryce, with executive producers Steven Spielberg, Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, and Gerald R. Molen. The film boasts a star-studded cast featuring Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Jami Gertz, and Cary Elwes. The narrative follows a team of storm chasers as they attempt to deploy a groundbreaking tornado research device during a severe storm outbreak in Oklahoma.

The plot kicks off with a traumatic childhood memory for Jo Harding (Helen Hunt), whose father is killed by a devastating F5 tornado. Fast forward twenty-seven years, Jo is now a dedicated meteorologist leading a team of storm chasers. Her estranged husband, Bill (Bill Paxton), a former storm chaser turned weatherman, arrives in Oklahoma with his fiancée Melissa (Jami Gertz) to finalize their divorce. However, Bill is drawn back into the storm-chasing life when he sees Jo’s newly realized "Dorothy" device, designed to revolutionize tornado research.

As the team sets out to test Dorothy, they face competition from Jonas Miller (Cary Elwes), a rival storm chaser with a corporate-funded knockoff device. The tension between the teams escalates as they race against each other and the elements to be the first to deploy their research tools. Bill's determination to help Jo leads to a series of perilous encounters with tornadoes, each more intense than the last. The narrative maintains a gripping pace, keeping the audience on edge as they follow the team's harrowing adventures through increasingly dangerous storms.

In a climactic sequence, Bill and Jo manage to successfully deploy the last Dorothy prototype, capturing invaluable data from within the heart of a tornado. The film builds to a crescendo as they face down a massive F5 tornado, with their lives and their research hanging in the balance. The plot threads are tightly woven, with each storm chase serving to develop the characters' relationships and deepen the viewer's investment in their quest.

What sets "Twister" apart from other disaster films is its emphasis on the science and community of storm chasing. The film sheds light on the dedication and passion of meteorologists who risk their lives to improve early warning systems. The technical aspects of storm chasing are portrayed with a level of authenticity that was groundbreaking at the time, thanks to the film’s collaboration with the National Severe Storms Laboratory and its use of cutting-edge special effects.

Critically, "Twister" was well-received, garnering praise for its impressive visual effects and gripping action sequences. It was nominated for Academy Awards in Best Visual Effects and Best Sound, a testament to its technical prowess. Despite some criticisms regarding its dialogue and character development, the film's intense action and innovative special effects made it a memorable entry in the disaster genre. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a respectable rating, reflecting a mix of critical acclaim and audience enjoyment.

With a budget of $92 million, "Twister" was a significant financial undertaking that paid off handsomely at the box office, grossing $495 million worldwide. It was the second-highest-grossing film of 1996 and sold an estimated 54.7 million tickets in the United States alone. The film’s success is a testament to its ability to captivate audiences with a blend of adrenaline-fueled action and emotional depth. In conclusion, "Twister" stands as a landmark in disaster cinema, not just for its groundbreaking special effects, but for its compelling depiction of the human spirit’s resilience in the face of nature’s fury.