Before watching the new sequel, I returned to the cinematic spectacle of Twister nearly 3 decades on. It holds up rather splendidly, I must say.
Directed by the rather kinetic chap, Jan de Bont, who, of course, delivered that frightfully exciting little number, Speed, a few years prior, this is a picture that is a rather breathless affair, really. It’s anchored by an emotional core that, one is rather surprised to admit, remains quite affecting today.
Helen Hunt turns in a perfectly marvellous performance as Jo Harding, bringing a compelling blend of steely determination and a hint of emotional turmoil. Her back-and-forth with the late, but certainly great, Bill Paxton is, quite frankly, the beating heart of the whole shebang, and their witty repartee ensures one is thoroughly invested in their perilous journey.
And the supporting cast is a veritable “who’s who” of fine acting talent, with a young Philip Seymour Hoffman quite rightly stealing every scene as the delightfully unhinged and memorable Dusty.
The visual effects, while one must concede they are a product of their time, hold up surprisingly well. The twisters themselves are a visceral, terrifying force of nature, a jolly good testament to the pioneering marriage of practical effects and some rather clever early CGI.
For its rather relentless pace, emotional heft, and a cast that is quite simply on fire, Twister is, without a doubt, a certified classic and an easy 8 out of 10.
Splendid, really.
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