Twister

Believe it or not, I had actually never seen this movie before last night. I was “away” for most of ’96 and missed quite a few flicks. I think this film might’ve been “somewhat” innovative at the time, but seeing it now on video, it did nothing but disappoint.

Of course, I wasn’t expecting it to give OUT OF AFRICA a run for its money, but even many of the special effects looked VERY PHONY! (especially the explosions…just plain embarassing). I was actually quite down on the film until its final half hour, which did ROCK, quite some! Saving it from crap-on-a-stickness.

Still though, weak characterizations is what killed most of these DISASTER/EVENT pics, and the same applies here. They tried REAL HARD to make it look like it was exciting stuff, but basically, I felt like it was a bunch of losers running around after wind-storms.

And what’s with the “bad guy” tornado chasers? C’MON!

Here’s what DeBont seems to have given Philip Seymour Hoffman as his MOTIVATION as an actor for this film:

“Philip….just ACT EXCITED….REALLY EXCITED IN EVERY SCENE!!! Go nuts…be happy and be really STOKED at anything you hear about storms!”.

Ugh. Not even a passable popcorn pic, I’m afraid. The good news is that Bill Paxton & Helen Hunt don’t embarass themselves…

Stars Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeremy Davies, Cary Elwes and Jamie Gertz (where the heck has she been?!)

(c) 2021 Berge Garabedian