FIVE REASONS ‘TWISTER’ IS STILL AN AMERICAN CLASSIC
Believe it or not, the 1996 film Twister is not something I ever saw. It was a box office smash and something audiences seemed to love. Since it IS one I never saw, and the 2024 film is finally available with a streaming package, I thought first I’d write about five reasons why Twister is still a classic. At least when it comes to entertaining popcorn flicks.
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The film, which remains a viewer favorite, follows two storm chasers played by Helen Hunt (enjoying TV success at the time on Mad About You) and Bill Paxton. The film opens in 1969 on a farm where a tornado warning threatens the home of a young Jo, the girl who would grow up to become a storm chaser. Along with her team of storm chasers, which includes an ex Bill, the story puts them into the storm of their lifetime.
FIVE REASONS ‘TWISTER’ IS STILL AN AMERICAN CLASSIC. Talking about the 1996 film that audiences still love. #Twister #HelenHunt #Movies #PopcornMovies Share on XLikely everyone on planet earth knows all of these details, so we’ll just get into the five reasons why Twister is still a classic, and maybe some of the reasons why.
FIVE REASONS WHY TWISTER IS STILL A CLASSIC
ENTERTAINMENT
The film is pure entertainment. Are there messages? Of course there are. Every story, no matter its medium has messages. Is there destruction and sadness? Absolutely. But this film understands entertaining its viewer has to be primary. Whether its Helen Hunt’s need to understand tornadoes to Bill’s enthusiastic caution to help in supporting that, there’s a great sense of curiosity and fun which all leads in to being entertaining.
Audiences today, just like then, I think primarily want something to entertain. Sure we may like the odd artistic film now and then or admire something that makes us think, but I think primarily we just want to be entertained and enjoy something. This one is that and is has pulse pounding fun without car chases. five reasons why twister is still a classic
EFFECTS
The effects are, for this era, actually pretty good though how realistic there are, I don’t know. I also found the running-for-our-lives-in-a-field-of-sunflowers a choice. Like it’s this weird contrast of darkness and fear with cheeriness.
DETERMINATION
There’s plenty of determination to go around in this film, primarily that of the characters, but as its also a character, the weather isn’t shy about being determined either! It’s the character’s grit and will to carry out, what they believe is a good deed, their plans.
JAMI GERTZ
I’m not sure if she’s meant to present as a kind of anti heroine or kind of antagonist for Jo, but Jami’s Melissa is hilarious. And I love that although she 100% does get (understandably) shaken up, she also rolls with everything in the moment. She keeps her chill and even does her job during all of this. It’s all just hilarious and quite the unexpected addition.
Resilience
The film has themes of resilience and overcoming even after loss and destruction. This doesn’t mean there isn’t still feelings or sorrow for the characters (there is), but overriding that is the theme of putting your best foot forward. There is also some sense of obsessing over the past which I do detest, but I do deal with it.
Characters who present this is important to storytelling and while a damaged character may be an interesting character study, people who press on and characters who show that life goes are are, ultimately, far more inspiring. This, I think is one big reason why this film is still a classic.
You can digitally rent or purchase Twister on Amazon or places like Apple TV. It’s also available on DVD.
Have you seen Twister? What do you love best about it? Do you enjoy the movie? What is your list of five reasons why Twister is still a classic? Comment all of your thoughts or reasons to still love it? Let’s talk!
Photos: Universal Pictures / Alamy Stock Photos
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