Twister (1996)

“He’s gonna rue the day he came up against The Extreme, baby. Bill, I’m talkin’ imminent rueage” – Dusty

Number of Times Seen –  At least 5 (Theater in 1996, video, DVD, 30 Mar 2000 and 22 Nov 2013)

Brief Synopsis – Two groups of competing scientists try to be the first ones to get data from within a raging tornado in order to help get a better understanding of what is happening within.

My Take on it – I have always liked this movie even since I was glued to my seat while watching it in the theater.

It is not your typical action movie since like in Backdraft (1991), The Impossible (2012) and in Earthquake (1974) (and many other disaster movies) , the bad guy is a force of nature and the trick in these movies is to give the inanimate enemy life and a menacing willpower to destroy all in its path.

The action here is constantly moving and the characters are always speeding along in their cars or running from an incoming tornado.  There are only a few seconds where even the viewer has time to catch his/her breath.  I recall when I saw this in the theater that my friends and I were taken in by the momentum of the story.

The cast here is great since many of the actors weren’t so popular back then, but still recognizable.  Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton lead the cast with stellar work by Jami Gertz, Cary Elwes, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Lois Smith, Alan Ruck, Todd Fields, Joey Slotnick and Jeremy Davies.

The fact that the team of scientists have so many quirky and diverse characters only helps here.

Bottom Line – Great, fun, and constantly movie action picture. Very good cast. Recommended!

Rating – Globe Worthy