The harrowing sequel to the classic film Twister comes to 4K Ultra HD this week. Can withstand multiple viewings.
Twister’s long (long) conceived sequel/follow-up finally arrived in the summer, bringing with it an all-new story and plenty of tornado action. After a huge box office success that exceeded expectations, physical 4K Ultra HD has arrived…and here’s where the film’s real test begins.
Twisters 4K Ultra HD
Director: Lee Isaac Chan
Author: Mark L. Smith
Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos
Release date: October 22, 2024
Purchase (Affiliate): https://amzn.to/4eXlasT
I’m a big fan of disaster movies. In fact, the original Twister is the main reason for this lifelong fascination. That’s why I’ve always been excited about Twisters, and when it came to the big screen, I kept heckling and hollering. Here’s the thing about disaster movies: Many of them are enjoyable from the start. After decades of watching and covering movies, I’ve found that these kinds of genre films have to be awfully bad to not find enjoyment on first viewing ( I’ll never forgive you, Into the Storm).
Generally speaking, rewatches mean things either fall apart or get better. The original Twister, for all its flaws, remains one of the most re-watched movies of all time. I find it just as much fun watching it for the 50th time as I did the first time. So I was curious to see what the follow-up would be. I didn’t get to see it again in theaters, but when the 4K arrived at my house, I was excited to give it a try.
Glen Powell plays Tyler in Lee Isaac Chung’s Twisters.
I can’t say Twisters is on the same level as its predecessor, but it definitely holds up no matter how many times you watch it. I’d venture to say that it might have been better the second time around, as some of the issues I had with it the first time I watched it weren’t as much of a problem.
The action sequences retain their “shit” factor, with the crisp detail of the 4K transfer making the destruction pop in every frame. The amount of work the VFX team put into these giant tornadoes became even more apparent as you could see small pieces of debris swirling around them. They were able to keep the tension high even though we knew what was going to happen next, giving us a real sense of what they were capable of.
The sound of the 4K release also lends itself quite a bit to this effect. Surround sound lets you really feel the roar of the storm. It’s like being in the middle of it all. But I was thrilled to see that no matter how powerful the storm was, the conversation maintained its priorities, making it easier to hear everything when things got crazy.
Thanks to Glen Powell’s insane charisma and chemistry with Daisy Edgar-Jones throughout the film, I was fully invested in the film’s rather flimsy story (much like the first film) ) It can be easy to overlook how fast and loose the relationship with the science side is. These elements combine to provide a thrilling experience, whether you’ve already seen it or not.
(From left) Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Javi (Anthony Ramos), and Tyler (Glen Powell) in Lee Isaac Chung’s Twisters.
As for the bonus features included on the disc, there are some fun ones to check out.
gag reel
deleted scene
Tracking the Frontlines: The Road to Twisters – Follow Twisters from their early launch to production, using science to create their characters, use science to add authenticity, and wreak havoc on the world. Get to know the cast behind this look to weather the extreme weather conditions that bring. set.
In the Eye of the Storm – See how TWISTERS blends practical and visual effects to turn nature’s most destructive forces into entertaining thrills.
Glen Powell: All Access – Glen Powell takes you on a private tour of a day in the life on the TWISTERS set.
A front row seat to the chase – Join cast members and professional storm chasers as they brave the elements to track tornadoes in Oklahoma.
Voice of the Villain – Hear the creation of the movie’s deafening howl from your studio seat. The sound team mixes unexpected sounds to give the storm a new dimension of depth.
Trick-Out Trucks – Buckle up and go wild in the movie’s custom vehicles with unique features, from rocket launchers to advanced radar technology.
Special comment by director Lee Isaac Chan
Personally, the highlight is the long commentary by the director. There’s some interesting information about how he approached this sequel. Additionally, “Voice of a Villain” cleverly explores the sound design of a tornado. Overall, these are a behind-the-scenes glimpse and certainly give you good value for money.
All in all, there’s no reason to miss out on the 4K Ultra HD release, whether you missed out on seeing Twisters in theaters or were worried it wouldn’t stay in theaters. The movie itself is a lot of fun, bringing just the right amount of heart and charm to keep the disaster elements engaging.
