![Twisters](/binary/852a/2571_D038_00042_0034R_COMP.jpg)
Twisters
2024, PG-13, 122 min. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Maura Tierney, Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane.
REVIEWED By Richard Whittaker, Fri., July 19, 2024
It took 28 years, but storm season is here again. Yet Twisters barely classifies as a sequel to the beloved 1996 tornado chasing blockbuster Twister. The only star of the original to appear is Dorothy, the vat of miniature probes designed to be sucked up by a tornado. However, a few big plot points do carry over: first, that the lead succumbs to the allure of tornadoes after a terrible tragedy. In the original, Helen Hunt’s gutsy and sarcastic tornado chaser Jo lost her family to a twister, but this time it’s Kate (Edgar-Jones), a student storm chaser from Oklahoma who gets most of her ragtag research team killed when she drives straight towards an EF5 monster. Jo just wanted to research twisters; Kate thinks she can kill them using diapers (a plot point that may leave meteorologists in the audience fearing they’ve been concussed by flying debris). Lured back into the field by the outright emotional abuse of Javi (Ramos), the sole survivor of the disaster, she luckily runs into Tyler Owens (Powell), a YouTube sensation of the storm chasing scene, all ego and denim and “aw, shucks, ma’am” good old boy nonsense.
The original worked because it balanced the VFX spectacle of rampaging forces of nature against the undeniable charm of Hunt and Bill Paxton as her equally tornado-obsessed soon-to-be-ex-husband. This time around, it’s only when Kate adopts an ambiguous Southern drawl that the meet-cute the film craves and demands has any sparks, and that’s halfway through the film. Prior to that, the audience is left asking one of two questions: “When’s Glen Powell going to turn up?” and “when’s Glen Powell coming back?” Anytime he’s off screen, even giant tornadoes aren’t enough to pull you in.
Maybe if director Lee Isaac Chung and writer Joseph Kosinski had swapped roles, Twisters would be a better movie. But instead of a script by the writer of character-driven family dramedy Minari directed by the man behind the camera on Top Gun: Maverick, it’s a by-the-numbers summer screen filler script from the Top Gun guy uninspiringly filmed by a director best known for subtle, quiet moments.
Worse, Kosinski’s script is gutless. Every five minutes, someone talks about “once in a century conditions” and unprecedented weather: In a film where the heroes are supposed to be scientists, have the courage or common sense to say “climate change.” That said, everyone here is kind of an idiot. Twister portrayed its characters as nerdy adrenaline junkies working in the world’s most dangerous lab conditions. Yet half the time there’s an opportunity to get real data, Kate and Tyler turn around and start pointing locals towards shelters. An astounding amount of the plot turns on the idea that no one in Tornado Alley knows what to do when the sirens go off, all just to make the heroes look more heroic. There’s only one moment when that works – a nod to the not-so-secret philanthropy of Guy Fieri – but it’s mainly just an excuse for another windswept set piece.
Heavy-handed and stuffed with cardboard characters, everything about Twisters save for Powell feels like a pale imitation of what made the original such an unexpected smash of a disaster movie. Lightning definitely does not strike twice.
Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline
14028 Hwy. 183 N., 512/861-7070, www.drafthouse.com/austin/theater/lakeline
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Alamo Drafthouse Mueller
1911 Aldrich #120, 512/572-1425, drafthouse.com/austin/theater/mueller
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane
5701 W. Slaughter, 512/861-7060, drafthouse.com/austin/theater/slaughter-lane
Showtimes at this venue are subject to frequent change. Please confirm daily times by phone or website.
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
1120 S. Lamar, 512/861-7040, www.drafthouse.com/theater/south-lamar
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Alamo Drafthouse Village
2700 W. Anderson #701, 512/861-7030, www.drafthouse.com/austin/theater/village
Tuesday matinee Baby Day shows (first show of the day) are intended for parents and their children younger than 6. Showtimes at this venue are subject to frequent change. Please confirm daily times by phone or website.
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
AMC Dine-In Tech Ridge 10
12625 N. I-35, 512/640-1533, www.amctheatres.com
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Barton Creek Square (AMC)
2901 Capital of Texas Hwy. S., 512/306-1991, www.amctheatres.com
Matinee discounts available before 4pm daily. Bring Your Baby matinees the first Tuesday of every month.
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress, 512/936-4629, thestoryoftexas.com
Showtimes are subject to change, please confirm times by phone or website.
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Tue., July 23
Cinemark 20 and XD
N. I-35 & FM 1825, 512/989-8535
Cost for 3-D and XD shows is regular ticket price plus a premium.
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Cinemark Cedar Park
1335 E. Whitestone, Cedar Park, 800/326-3264
Call theatre for complete list of movies and showtimes.
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Cinemark Hill Country Galleria 14
12812 Hill Country Blvd., 800/326-3264, www.cinemark.com/theater_showtimes.asp?theater_id=377
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Cinemark Round Rock
4401 N. I-35, Round Rock, 800/326-3264
Cost for 3-D shows is regular ticket price plus a $3.50 premium. Call theatre for complete March 26-28 showtimes.
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Cinemark Southpark Meadows
9900 S. I-35, 800/326-3264
Cost for 3-D shows is regular ticket price plus a $3.50 premium.
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Cinemark Stone Hill Town Center
18820 Hilltop Commercial Dr., 512/251-0938, www.cinemark.com
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Cinergy Marble Falls
2600 Hwy 281 North, Marble Falls, www.showbizcinemas.com/cinema-info/marble-falls/
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
City Lights Theatre
420 Wolf Ranch Parkway, Georgetown, 512/868-9922
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Evo Cinemas Belterra
166 Hargraves Ste. A-100, 512/457-0700, www.evocinemas.com/belterra
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
EVO Entertainment
3200 Kyle Crossing, Kyle, 512/523-9009, www.evo-entertainment.com
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Film Alley Bastrop
1600 Chestnut St, Bastrop, 512/321-0123, bastrop.filmalley.net/
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Flix Brewhouse
2200 S. I-35, Round Rock, 512/244-3549, www.flixbrewhouse.com/round-rock
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Galaxy Highland 10
6700 Middle Fiskville, 512/467-7305, www.galaxytheatres.com
No one under 18 will be allowed in the theatre on Friday or Saturday after 7pm without an adult.
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Gateway Theatre
9700 Stonelake, 512/416-5700
Discounts daily before 6pm. Cost for 3-D shows is regular ticket price plus a $3.50 premium.
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
iPic Theaters Austin
3225 Amy Donovan Plaza, 512/568-3400, www.ipic.com
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Metropolitan
901 Little Texas, 512/447-0101
Discounts daily before 6pm. Cost for 3-D shows is regular ticket price plus a $3.50 premium.
Wed., July 17
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Moviehouse & Eatery
8300 FM 620 N., Bldg. B, 512/501-3520, www.cinepolisusa.com/our-theaters/x0nud-moviehouse-and-eatery-nw-austin/
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Moviehouse & Eatery - Lantana Place
7415 Southwest Pkwy., Bldg. 7, 512/572-0770, www.cinepolisusa.com/our-theaters/x1195-moviehouse-and-eatery-sw-austin/
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Southwest Theaters at Lake Creek 7
13729 Research #1500, 512/291-3158, www.southwesttheaters.com
$6.50 children and senior tickets (all-day), $5 Tuesdays (all tickets), Bargain Matinees before 5pm daily.
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
The Spot Cinema Eatery & Social Haus
1180 Thorpe Lane #130, San Marcos, 512/210-8600, www.evo-entertainment.com/locations/the-spot/
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Violet Crown Cinema
434 W. Second, 512/495-9600, www.violetcrowncinema.com
Four-hour parking validation in attached garage with ticket purchase. Reserved seating; bar and cafe on-site.
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
Westgate 11
4477 S. Lamar, 512/899-2717
Discounts daily before 6pm. Cost for 3-D shows is regular ticket price plus a $3.50 premium.
Thu., July 18
Fri., July 19
Sat., July 20
Sun., July 21
Mon., July 22
Tue., July 23
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Richard Whittaker, Feb. 12, 2021
July 17, 2024
July 12, 2024
Twisters, Lee Isaac Chung, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Maura Tierney, Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane