Kudos to director Lee Isaac Chung for focusing on wholesomeness over style in this film. Twisters is a fascinating choice for Chung as a follow-up after the surprise hit Minari in 2020. His ability to focus on character development remains intact in this much bigger budget project, despite the pressure of being a sequel to a memorable '90s blockbuster.

It is not an exaggeration to say that part of my childhood was shaped by my theater experience watching Twister. I vividly remember being fully submerged in the wide screen filled with the sound of scary winds and dark-colored tornadoes when I watched it with my family. This was one hell of a ride with thrills for a young kid. For that reason, I was hesitant to watch Twisters, worrying it would disappoint and ruin my childhood memory.

Twisters did not disappoint.

This movie retained the key elements that made the original film unforgettable. The epic soundtrack perfectly blends with the harsh nature and storms, creating a fully immersive experience. The movie was shot on 35mm film, which made me nostalgic for my childhood theater experience and grateful for the attention to detail. The opening sequence felt like the story just picked up where the original film left off.

On the other hand, the plot could have been more original since this film is treated as a standalone sequel to Twister. It still has colorful characters and competing teams risking their lives to get to the biggest tornado—the same story formula, and it still works. It is still exciting to watch the characters mature morally and rise from failure.

I liked the witty dialogue and strong female characters that reminded me of Jo, played by Helen Hunt in the original. Daisy Edgar-Jones portrays former storm chaser Kate Carter, who gets recruited by her friend Javi to use updated gadgets and an elite team to chase storms once again. Her backstory is fascinating, and I found myself rooting for her to succeed and rise as a heroine by the end.

The chemistry between Kate Carter and Tyler Owens, played by Glen Powell, is undeniable. How their relationship evolved felt like the right choice—it enhances the story without interfering with the main mission. The film understands that romance should complement the action, not overshadow it.

At the end, it made me smile when I saw a red pickup truck on screen driving right by the tornado—a perfect callback that honors the original without leaning on it too heavily. Chung proves that you do not need to reinvent the wheel to make a sequel work. Sometimes all you need is respect for what came before, characters you care about, and the confidence to let a good storm be a good storm.