Twenty-eight years after Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt braved the fury of nature, Twisters returns to the big screen, this time under the helm of director Lee Isaac Chung. The film throws us back into the heart of America’s tornado alley, where storm chasers risk everything to get the money shot – and maybe even save a life or two.

Twisters boasts some of the most impressive CGI work I’ve seen in a disaster film. The tornadoes themselves are rendered with a terrifying realism. We see the swirling debris, the whipping winds, and the sheer power of these monstrous funnels in a way that feels both awe-inspiring and utterly terrifying. There’s a scene where a twister tears through a farmhouse, and the way the CGI seamlessly blends with the practical effects – the splintering wood, the billowing dust – creates a moment of pure cinematic chaos. You’ll find yourself gripping your armrests and wishing you had brought a raincoat.

While the CGI tornadoes are the main attraction, the film wouldn’t be half as effective without the stellar performances from Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell. Edgar-Jones takes on the role of Kate Cooper, a talented but traumatized stormchaser. Haunted by a past encounter that left her team devastated, Kate has sworn off chasing twisters. However, the lure of the storm and the chance to prove her groundbreaking new tracking system prove too strong to resist.

Edgar-Jones portrays Kate with a vulnerability that makes her instantly relatable. We see the fear simmering beneath the surface, but also the fierce determination that drives her. Her chemistry with Glen Powell, who plays Tyler Owens, a charismatic social media storm chaser, is undeniable. Powell brings a cocky charm to the role, but there’s a depth to Tyler that goes beyond just chasing clout. The banter between them crackles with tension, and their inevitable rivalry adds a layer of complexity to the narrative.

The supporting cast is equally impressive. Anthony Ramos shines as Javi, Kate’s loyal and tech-savvy teammate, while Richard Dreyfuss brings gravitas to the role of a seasoned stormchaser mentor. The film also takes a moment to acknowledge the human cost of these storms, showcasing the devastation they wreak on towns and communities. These scenes, while brief, add a layer of emotional weight that grounds the film and reminds us of the real-world consequences of these weather events.

However, Twisters isn’t afraid to have some fun. There are moments of genuine humor sprinkled throughout, often arising from the clash of personalities between Kate’s meticulous approach and Tyler’s thrill-seeking antics. The film also delivers on the white-knuckle action you’d expect from a disaster movie. The storm-chasing sequences are exhilarating, putting you right in the heart of the action with the characters. You’ll find yourself yelling at the screen, willing them to outrun the approaching twister.

Twister is a worthy successor to the 1996 classic. It boasts cutting-edge CGI, delivers heart-pounding action sequences, and benefits from strong performances from Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell. While it might not quite capture the same lightning-in-a-bottle novelty of the original, it’s a thoroughly entertaining summer blockbuster that will leave you breathless and maybe a little bit scared of the next thunderstorm that rolls through.