Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
I've been lucky enough to be a film critic for over a decade, and I've learned a lot during that time.
I've learned I can't write my review right after seeing the movie. I've done that in the past and it's come back to haunt me once or twice. Sometimes, I walk out of a movie thinking I liked it, and then after thinking about it for a day or so, I realize I didn't care for it. Examples include "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," and "Wonder Woman 1984."
I've learned I can't take a notepad with me to take notes. I tried at first but ended up missing portions of the movie because I was busy making a note in the dark.
However, the most important lesson I've learned is that movies need to be judged based on their goals. I learned this lesson while watching "Skyscraper." The movie isn't very "good" by movie standards — it's cliched and absurd, with silly one-liners and subpar acting. But as I watched the screening for that movie, I thought to myself, "Critics are going to tear this apart, but I'm having a good time."
I go to the movies to enjoy myself, and I love film because there are so many ways to enjoy the art form. It can make me think, be a visual feast, make me laugh, cry or stand up and cheer. Film can exhilarate you, calm you down, and make you nostalgic. But for me to like a movie, it doesn't have to be "good." It just needs to do its job.
For example, "Twisters" isn't trying to win any awards for screenplay or be the next "Shawshank Redemption." It is, however, trying to thrill you and keep audiences entertained for two hours — and that's exactly what it did.
The movie is far from perfect and has plenty of eye-roll moments, but I had fun, and that's exactly what I wanted out of it.
Why 'Twisters' is a good time
Exhilarating visuals and sound
I remember heading to the theater in 1996 to see "Twister." I was excited to see and hear the destruction, and loved it. I was 12 years old, and it ticked all the boxes for pre-teen John. I haven't seen that movie for several years, but I remember being impressed by the visual effects and thought the tornadoes looked real and terrifying.
Fast-forward nearly 30 years, and movie effects have come a long way. Those cyclones in "Twisters" are bigger, scarier, and more captivating than ever. This movie is all about an assault on the eyes and ears with impressive destruction and incredible sound design. The sound carries through your body in the theater, and you feel like you're in the plains of Oklahoma, caught in the middle of tornado alley.
Over-the-top visual effects and bone-rattling sound are summer movie fodder at its finest, and "Twisters" has it in droves.
You care about the characters
If there are brilliant visuals and sound effects in a film, they only get me so far if I don't care about the story. Again, I don't need the story to be brilliantly constructed with characters and arcs I've never seen before, but I do need to care. I can't say the story and characters are anything special in "Twisters," but the filmmakers did a good job of making me care — and that makes for a more engaging experience.
On the surface, Glen Powell's character, Tyler, seems one-dimensional, but as the movie wears on, you realize there is more to the Tornado Wrangler than meets the eye, and you are eager to see his story unfold.
The movie kicks off with a sequence that catches you a bit off guard and it teaches you a lot about some of the characters you'll spend the next two hours with. This makes for some interesting arcs and tension as we wait for other characters to learn why these leads have some specific motivations. I know that's ambiguous, but I don't want to reveal any spoilers. While some plot points are a bit predictable, they help give some depth to our characters.
I can't say I loved all of the story arcs. Some of the secondary characters are very one-dimensional, stereotypical and uninteresting. Most of Tyler's crew fits in this category. The actors were not necessarily bad, but you didn't care about them.
I know when I can't remember the names of characters we've spent the last couple of hours with, they aren't that interesting. Outside of our three main leads, I couldn't tell you the name of one of those characters.
A few missteps
In addition to my issues with some shallow characters, I was bothered by incomplete storylines. A few twists are thrown into the story, but they feel rushed and ultimately abandoned. I can't go into too much detail without giving away some spoilers. While some underlying storylines are driving certain characters, they aren't explained well and don't land well.
I thought Powell was as fun as Tyler, but some other actors left something to be desired. Daisy Edgar-Jones' performance was up and down and — it breaks my heart to say this — Anthony Ramos' performance was a little disappointing.
I am a big fan of Ramos and loved him in "In the Heights," but I felt his charm and charismatic nature were missing in "Twisters." I don't want to say he was terrible in the movie, but he didn't stand out like he has in the past. Some of that had to do with how his character was written, so I'll cut him some slack, but I know how great he can be and look forward to seeing him in form again.
What parents need to know
"Twisters" is almost foul language-free. There are a few curse words here and there, but they aren't very noticeable and, overall, the language is very tame. When it comes to sex, nudity or sexual situations, "Twisters" scores a zero out of 10. Outside of bare shoulders and some innocent kissing between characters, there are no sex or sexual situations.
Where "Twisters" clearly earns its PG-13 rating is violence and frightening situations. There is plenty of destruction and death throughout the movie. Nothing is graphic, but the tornadoes and constant danger could be scary for some younger audiences.
The PG-13 rating is fair, but this film is tame when compared to many films with the same rating.
Conclusion
Did I love "Twisters"? No. Is it a great movie? No. But I did like it and I had a lot of fun watching it. Sometimes, sitting in a dark, air-conditioned theater with a cold drink while giant tornadoes rip apart Oklahoma is just what the doctor ordered.
"Twisters" is officially rated PG-13 for intense action and peril, some language and injury images.
