3 Reasons ‘Twisters’ Is the Must-See Family Blockbuster of the Summer

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1. It’s Full of Unexpected Twists

Twisters is a stand-alone sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Twister, which starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton and told the story of a team of storm chasers who risk their lives to gather data on tornadoes in order to improve warning systems and save lives.

The newest movie, set in Oklahoma, has a similar plot but adds a new element: YouTube-crazed storm chasers who, at first, seem to be nothing more than adrenaline junkies. 

Kate agrees to help Javi and immediately encounters a group of these reckless storm chasers who are led by a brash, cowboy hat-wearing man named Tyler (Glen Powell) -- the “tornado wrangler.” 

“Hillbillies with a YouTube channel,” one of Kate’s scientific companions says.

Tyler drives his off-road vehicle into tornadoes. (Supposedly, it’s anchored safely with corkscrew drills.) He shoots fireworks up into the funnels. He sells t-shirts emblazoned with his wide-smiling face. In other words, he does anything that will look good and get clicks.

For much of the film, Tyler and Kate are polar opposites, even adversaries. But when a tornado devastates a small town, Kate is astonished to find Tyler and his crew walking from block to block and assisting with the cleanup. They’re even distributing food to those in need. 

Tyler and Kate become friends. Eventually, they join forces.

Photo Credit: ©Warner Bros.

2. It’s Exhilarating and Action-Packed

A lot has happened since Twister hit theaters in 1996. YouTube was launched. Social media was, too. High-definition video became a thing. Tornado chasing grew in popularity. In other words, we no longer need a movie to get up-close views of twisters. 

But Warner Bros. and director Lee Isaac Chung give us more than spectacular storm footage. In Twisters, we get drama, intrigue, a little romance, and -- yes -- plenty of adrenaline.

We see footage inside a tornado. (Is it realistic? Who knows?! But it’s fun.) We watch as a small, seemingly harmless tornado grows into a monster. We grab onto our seats as a twister destroys a wind farm, and then an oil field, and then a water tower. 

In one of the film’s smartest scenes, we helplessly watch as townspeople take shelter inside a movie theater as the winds rip off the roof and then, finally, the movie screen. It’s an eerie experience, especially when viewed from the safety of an actual theater.

Thankfully, though, Twisters is more than an energy rush. It shows us the devastating effects of these colossal storms -- houses destroyed, families displaced, towns ravaged. Viewed only in a field, tornadoes can be mesmerizing. But when one is heading for a town, they can be catastrophic. 

Most of the tornado chasers in Twisters are responsible, believing their work can help save lives. Sure, they enjoy clicks and web traffic. But they are altruistic. That’s a message the YouTube generation needs to hear. 

“This is good,” a tornado chaser says as he watches a storm grow.

His friend, though, corrects him, knowing it’s headed for a community.  

“That ain’t good.”

Photo Credit: ©Warner Bros.

3. It’s What a PG-13 Film Should Be

This newest rendition delivers the peril and violence you’d expect. We witness people being sucked up by a tornado. We see cars rolled and then smashed. Thankfully, though, the peril isn’t over the top. It’s largely bloodless. 

Twisters is thrilling, intense, and engaging without the boundary-pushing found in other PG-13 films. It contains no sexuality. (Kate’s mother invites Tyler to spend the night but clarifies that he is sleeping in the guest bedroom.) In fact, it barely contains any kissing. (Kate shares a brief kiss with a boyfriend early in the film, but that’s it.) The language meter is mild to moderate -- and far below what is found in, for example, many Marvel films. (See below for details.) 

In other words, Twisters is exactly what a PG-13 movie should be: intense enough to be unsuitable for young children yet far below the level of coarseness found in an R-rated film.

Kudos to Warner Bros. for hitting the bullseye on what most families desire. We need more movies like it. 

Rated PG-13 for intense action and peril, some language, and injury images. Language details: h-ll (6), s--t (6), d--n (2), a-- (3), OMG (4). 

Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Family-friendly rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Photo Credit: ©Warner Bros.