An unprecedented series of violent tornadoes is sweeping across Oklahoma. Tornado chasers, headed by Dr. Jo Harding, attempt to release a groundbreaking device that will allow them to track them and create a more advanced warning system. They are joined by Jo's soon to be ex-husband Bill, a former tornado chaser himself, and his girlfriend Melissa.
Helen Hunt
Jo
Bill Paxton
Bill
Jami Gertz
Melissa
Cary Elwes
Jonas
Lois Smith
Aunt Meg
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Dusty
Alan Ruck
Rabbit
Sean Whalen
Sanders
Scott Thomson
Preacher
Todd Field
Beltzer
Joey Slotnick
Joey
Wendle Josepher
Haynes
Jeremy Davies
Laurence
Zach Grenier
Eddie
Gregory Sporleder
Willie
Patrick Fischler
The Communicator
Nicholas Sadler
Kubrick
Ben Weber
Stanley
Anthony Rapp
Tony
Erik LaRay Harvey
Eric
Abraham Benrubi
Bubba
Jake Busey
Mobile Lab Technician
Melanie Hoopes
Patty
J. Dean Lindsay
Dean
Dan Kelpine
Diner Mechanic
Sharonlyn Morrow
Waitress
Richard Lineback
Father
Rusty Schwimmer
Mother
Alexa PenaVega
Jo – 5 years old
Taylor Gilbert
NSSL Scientist – Bryce
Bruce Wright
NSSL Scientist – Murphy
Gary England
TV Meteorologist #1
Jeff Lazalier
TV Meteorologist #2
Rick Mitchell
TV Meteorologist #3
John Thomas Rhyne
Paramedic
Paul Douglas
Bodger
Samantha McDonald
Drive-in Girl
Jennifer L. Hamilton
Drive-In Girl
Anneke de Bont
Farm Girl
Darryl Cox
Four Corners Mechanic (uncredited)
Thomas E. Bentley
Farmer 1 (uncredited)
Jon Bielich
Survivor (uncredited)
Mark Falvo
Survivor (uncredited)
Ben Jackson
Survivor (uncredited)
David Dillinger Jefferis
Townsperson (uncredited)
Brad Masters
Cameraman (uncredited)
April Warren
Flashback Mom (uncredited)
Director
Jan de Bont
Screenplay
Michael Crichton
Screenplay
Anne-Marie Martin
June 1, 2023
7
**_Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt chasing tornadoes on the prairie_**
When atmospheric conditions are conducive to tornadoes, a weatherman (Paxton) tracks down his separated wife (Hunt) and inadvertently joins their storm-chasing team in the Midwest because he can’t resist seeing his sensor invention finally put to use. Jami Gertz plays his new love, Cary Elwes a pompous rival and Philip Seymour Hoffman a wild team member.
“Twister” (1996) could be categorized as a disaster flick, but with the distinction that the protagonists are constantly chasing the potential disaster. The entire film takes place in the prairies or forests of the Midwest with ominous skies and intermittent destructive tornadoes. It’s called “Twister” and that’s what you get.
The writers keep things interesting by adding human interest with the, admittedly contrived, love triangle and the rival storm-chasing team that has corporate sponsors (the horror, the horror). I didn’t mind the love story. When two people belong together, they belong together. Perhaps the fiancé will realize this. Speaking of which, I’m glad they didn’t make her (Gertz) out to be an unreasonable biyatch, like in “The Parent Trap.”
At the end of the day, “Twister” gives you what you pay for. It’s not rocket science, but it’s entertaining and full of tornado-oriented thrills, which explains why it was a huge hit at the box office.
The movie runs 1 hour, 53 minutes, and was shot in Oklahoma (Guthrie and Ponca City), Iowa (Boone and Ames) and Bolton, Ontario.
GRADE: B