Twister Tied My Heart and Gut In Knots!

In September 1965, I experiences a night of terror and a storm that changed my entire life. At eight years old, I experienced the horror and full fury of Hurricane Betsy as it ripped through my home town, destroying homes, lives, and sending terror through the hearts of many.

So, when I saw the first few scenes of Twister as Jo as a young girl goes through the terror and horror of living through the destruction of a massive tornado, I found my eyes flooded with tears and intense emotion as I relived that part of my life watching with horror as Jo's father was swept away with the storm.

While none of my family was injured or killed in Hurricane Betsy, the intensity of that experience and remembrance of it came forth as I watched Twister with extreme emotion this afternoon. All of my life since that time, I, like Jo, have been entranced with the desire to learn more about these terrorizing phenomena that destroy without warning, and like a drug, I found myself absolutely rivited to the screen where I could not move or think of anything else.

Basic Plot Elements

Twister quite obviously is a movie about tornadoes. In this case it's a story about two groups who chase tornadoes in order to try to acquire information so that scientists can find better ways to discover how tornadoes are created and how to have better warning devices in place for the public.

Jo Harding, played by Helen Hunt, is now a professor and the leader of one of these groups that is funded by grant money and her competitor is Dr. Jonas Miller (Cary Elwes). Bill, played by Bill Paxton, who is Jo's estranged husband and former partner in tornado chase pursuits, desires to become married to Melissa (Jami Gertz). In order to have that come to pass though, he has to have Joe sign the divorce papers so he finds her in the middle of a severe weather outbreak with her staff chasing tornadoes.

From this point there's basically scenes and differing episodes of tornado chases and experiences. The intent of these chases, naturally, is to obtain data and both teams are trying to use a module that has varying circular sensors that they are attempting to have drawn up into the tornado so that they can obtain scientific readings.

The finale comes when there is a tremendous F-5 tornado, probably the biggest in 30 years and really the final chance for either team to be able to finally obtain the information necessary for each of them to be successful.

The Passion and Emotion of Twister

Personally, I can not watch this film without tears rushing to my eyes. The intensity of the special effects, the emotion of the characters, and the danger of the situation build to such a degree within this film that you can not turn it off or even get away from it without feeling some kind of passion or yearning.

I cried at the beginning -- I cried in the beginning -- I cried at the end. Seeing the devastating effects of tornadoes in action (even if this just a film) just absolutely blows one's mind.

The best of example of this is really with the town of Wakita where Jo's aunt lives. Jo and her group go there to eat between tornado chases, and return there after a massive storm has literally flattened the town. On the road to Meg's (Jo's aunt) home, Jo, Bill and her staff see a young family on the side of the road with the mass destruction of everything around them. Along side of the expectant couple, is a young child probably the same age as Jo was when she experienced that tornado that took her father's life. The parallel of these scenes just sends my heart into overload with the expression on Jo's face as she sees this destruction and remembers the past.

Diminished Effects On Television?

Because the movie is so intense, many people who may have seen the movie in the theater may feel that it is not as "good" watching via VHS or DVD because of the size of the screen. Personally, I don't think that's a valid argument if you look at Twister as more of an action/drama movie instead of just one filled with disaster and special effects. The story itself is so filled with passion and intensity that I believe even on a small screen, it is one that will touch your hearts.

Recommendation

Because of everything that I have mentioned before, there's no doubt in my mind that Twister is a masterpiece worth of high recommendation. Because of the passion contained within it though I don't think I could stand watching it more than one time a year though. There's too much of the memories of my own childhood and experiences with severe weather and hurricanes that would prevent me from being able to watch this movie on a regular basis.

However, I do believe that anyone who has to deal with severe weather (which includes probably almost anyone in the United States), would find great interest in this movie as I have through the short time we have owned it. It's truly a masterpiece, well documented, filled with excitement, and highly recommend Twister for purchase.

Note: If you click on the half off link you will go to half.com where the last time I checked you could get a copy of Twister for an incredible price of $1.75 on VHS. It's well worth that price and more, in my personal opinion.

This is the first in a series of movie reviews called A Peak Into My Teenager's Movie Collection, which will document my thoughts on the movies that my oldest son has purchased for his own viewing pleasure. I hope that you will be interested in the other parts as they are written through the summer.