Movie Review - Twisters

Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Genre: Action/ Adventure
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Maura Tierney
 
Description: Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a retired tornado-chaser and meteorologist, is persuaded to return to Oklahoma two work with a new team and new technologies.

Review: “Twister” came out in 1996, directed by my fellow Dutchie Jan de Bont. Even though it was never a masterpiece, the visual effects of the disaster film about a bunch of tornado chasers was groundbreaking at the time. I don’t know the details of how they decided to make a sequel so long after “Twister”. I don’t believe anyone was asking for it, nor did we need it. And it is not linked to the 1996 film either. But, surprisingly, I absolutely loved this film. “Twisters”: the sequel no one knew they needed.

After tornado-chaser Kate Carter lost her friends to a powerful tornado, she leaves Oklahoma for New York to work as a meteorologist in an office. Save, far away from the actual tornados. Five years later, fellow survivor Javi convinces her to get back on the road in Oklahoma anyway. In fact, he helped develop equipment in the military that can capture powerful tornadoes in 3D. Placing these instruments is quite an undertaking, though. Moreover, Kate still has plans for an experiment to pull the moisture out of the whirlwinds to kill the weather phenomenon.

In the original, the tornado-chasers were thwarted by commercially challenged cowboys. This time it’s YouTuber Tyler Owens. His crew seems to want to make money from the tornados that draw many tourists to the areas. But, there is more then meets the eye.

Scientifically this sequel is very good and so is the technical aspect. The actions scenes are and look spectacular, even in repeat sequence. Although this time there are now flying cows, the aerial parts look even more threatening and realistic.

The screenwriters efforts to add body to the story and characters also worked. It impresses when he is shown the unimaginable misery of tornado victims. The fact that Kate and her fellow chasers are not blind to this is significant, and furthermore, it also exposes the fact that not everyone is so humanitarian. As a viewer, you get to look at certain characters and their motives differently. And you would be surprised by some of them.

But, it’s still, for the most of it, a disaster film with a high entertainment level. A movie which I can see myself rewatching, probably more then once. Absolutely loved this movie, and I’m so surprised I did.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - Anyone But You

Director: Will Gluck
Genre: Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp, Hadley Robinson, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, Gata
 
Description: After an amazing first date, Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben’s (Glen Powell) fiery attraction turns ice-cold, until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited at a wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.

Review: Bea and Ben meet by accident, which leads to a spontaneous date. Due to an awkward misunderstanding, things end badly and they never see each other again… until Bea’s sister gets married to Ben’s friend. The wedding takes place in Australia where Ben and Bea are forced to be around each other. Their plan: pretend to be a couple to solve their problems.

It's a enemies-to-lovers and fake dating trope that has been done many times before. It has been done better, but definitely worse too. A romcom fails when the two lead have no chemistry. That’s one thing they do have: Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney are great together and sparks fly. There are genuine romantic (and sensual) moments as well as good jokes. So, with these elements “Anyone But You” wins.

But, it’s just not refreshing enough. And way too many romcom cliches. Which I don’t mind, when done well. It’s also way too predictable. And aside from Ben and Bea, no character feels like an actual person. They feel like fictional characters and have conversations that would never be real. It feels cartoonish.

It is a typical romcom, perfectly watchable with two fun leads. But also pretty forgettable.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

Movie Review - Top Gun: Maverick

Director: Joseph Kosinski
Genre: Action/ Drama
Runtime: 130 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Val Kilmer, Ed Harris, Charles Parnell, Monica Barbaro, Glen Powell, Bashir Salahuddin, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Lewis Pullman
 
Description: After thirty years, Maverick (Tom Cruise) is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN’s elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.

Review: It’s been years since Pete “Maverick” Mitchell attended pilot training at TOP GUN. By now he is an old hand in the business and has often been awarded for his heroic actions, but has never risen in rank. This is in contrast to his old rival and friend Iceman, who has become and Admiral. Iceman is the one standing up for Maverick, ensuring that he can return to TOP GUN. However, this time as an instructor to train a group of graduates for a dangerous secret mission. Not being eager to do so, Maverick does return and trains the group, but uses unorthodox methods. One of the pilots in the group is Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s deceased co-pilot Goose. Rooster resents maverick a great deal and that makes things more complicated. When the mission is suddenly brought forward, Maverick doesn’t know if the group is ready for it.

In recent years, a number of sequels have been made to classic movies from the 1980s and 1990s. Most don’t really succeed and are merely there for nostalgia reasons. I was sceptic about “Top Gun: Maverick”, I didn’t think we need this sequel. I always liked the movie, but after a recent rewatch after many years, I realized “Top Gun” doesn’t really hold up. But boy was I wrong about this sequel. “Top Gun: Maverick” is the sequel I didn’t think I needed.

The character of Maverick has grown, but he is still reckless and always seeks out the borders and ways to cross them. But here Maverick feels more raw, realistic and someone you can actually care about, what I didn’t really feel in the original. I loved seeing Val Kilmer return, in a brief role, but the rivalry they used to have turned into a beautiful friendship, which is very visible in that one scene they have. Kelly McGillis doesn’t return, there is no explanation about where her character is. But it didn’t bother me at all, because I didn’t really care about her character anyway. Jennifer Connolly is Maverick’s new love-interest, whose character is mentioned briefly in “Top Gun” is you pay close attention.

And talking about perfect casting: Miles Teller as Rooster, the son of Maverick’s deceased co-pilot Goose. It’s totally believable. His character is angry and insecure, which brings an extra obstacle to Maverick’s return to TOP GUN.

“Top Gun: Maverick” is a very successful sequel to a cheesy and enjoyable 80s movie, that easily tops its original. It’s much better. And its best they stay with only the one sequel, because this is a perfect ending to Maverick’s story. One of my favorite films of the year.

Rating: 4,5/ 5