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Twisters may do some damage at the box office
The movie, a standalone sequel to the 1996 disaster epic “Twister,” is expected to generate a sizable $50 million to $55 million when it touches down in 4,000 North American theaters over the weekend. “Minari” filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung directed “Twisters,” which stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos as storm chasers who find themselves in the fight of their lives as multiple tornadoes converge over central Oklahoma.
Twisters cost $155 million to produce, so its backers at Universal need the movie to resonate globally to justify that price tag. Warner Bros. is releasing the film internationally, where “Twisters” has earned $11.5 million from 38 territories to date. It will land over the weekend in much of Europe, including major markets like France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
The original “Twister,” starring Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as storm-chasing scientists trying to conquer the most powerful tornado in decades, was released nearly 30 years ago and turned into a massive hit. It became the second-highest grossing movie of 1996 and scored two Oscar nominations. The sequel has garnered mostly positive reviews (it holds an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes), with Variety’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman describing “Twisters” as fun but “not nearly as good” as its predecessor. ”Powell, with that squint, that coif, those complex dimples, confirms his old-school movie-star magnetism, and there are moments of spectacle that hook you,” he wrote in his review. “But ‘Twister,’ in its time, was bedazzling because we had never seen anything like it on the big screen before.” The follow-up, he concludes, is “a movie where reality ultimately takes a lot of the wind out of its gales.”
Comparisons to the same weekend in 2023 will be tough because this time last year, “Barbenheimer” fever was sweeping the nation. Yet after a slow start to summer, the domestic box office is finally gaining momentum. Disney’s Pixar sequel “Inside Out 2” is the biggest success of the year with $1.348 million worldwide and counting. Universal and Illumination’s “Despicable Me 4,” too, has been a boon with $434 million globally to date. And Neon’s occult-tilted horror film “Longlegs” became a surprise bright spot with $22.6 million in its debut, marking one of the biggest starts for an indie release. Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, touches down on July 26 and looks to carry the good times into August.
Exploring the legacy of Twister
The original “Twister” was a groundbreaking film in many ways. Directed by Jan de Bont, it was one of the first movies to use computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create realistic tornadoes. The film’s success was not just due to its special effects, but also its compelling story and strong performances by its cast. Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton brought a sense of authenticity to their roles as storm chasers, and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman delivered a memorable performance as the eccentric Dusty.
The sequel, “Twisters,” aims to capture the same magic while updating the story for a new generation. Daisy Edgar-Jones, known for her role in “Normal People,” brings a fresh perspective to the film. Glen Powell, who has been making waves with his performances in ”Top Gun: Maverick” and “Set It Up,” adds a touch of old-school Hollywood charm. Anthony Ramos, who gained fame from ”Hamilton” and “In the Heights,” rounds out the cast with his dynamic presence.
The challenges of making a sequel
Creating a sequel to a beloved film is always a daunting task. The filmmakers have to balance honoring the original while introducing new elements to keep the story fresh. Lee Isaac Chung, who directed the critically acclaimed “Minari,” was brought on board to helm ”Twisters.” His ability to tell deeply emotional stories with a strong sense of place made him an ideal choice for this project.
One of the biggest challenges was updating the special effects. The original “Twister” set a high bar with its groundbreaking use of CGI, and the sequel had to push the envelope even further. The team behind “Twisters” used the latest technology to create even more realistic and terrifying tornadoes. The result is a film that promises to be a visual spectacle while also delivering a compelling story.
The future of disaster films
“Twisters” is just one of many disaster films that have been released in recent years. The genre has seen a resurgence, with movies like “San Andreas,” “Geostorm,” and “Greenland” capturing audiences’ imaginations. These films tap into our primal fears and fascination with natural disasters, offering a mix of thrilling action and emotional drama.
As technology continues to advance, we can expect disaster films to become even more immersive and realistic. However, the key to their success will always be the human element. Audiences need characters they can root for and stories that resonate on an emotional level. “Twisters” aims to deliver on both fronts, offering a thrilling ride while also exploring the personal stories of its characters.
“Twisters” is poised to make a significant impact at the box office. With a talented cast, a visionary director, and cutting-edge special effects, the film promises to be a worthy successor to the original “Twister.” Whether it will achieve the same level of success remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: audiences are in for a wild ride.
