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Twister (1996)
Runtime: 3 hrs 46 mins
Synopsis: This special effects-laden blockbuster chronicles one day in the life of a band of gung-ho "storm chasers," who track and follow twisters and tornadoes. The group, led by the gutsy Jo and her macho, soon-to-be-ex Bill, have invented "Dorothy," a tank containing sensors that can provide... This special effects-laden blockbuster chronicles one day in the life of a band of gung-ho "storm chasers," who track and follow twisters and tornadoes. The group, led by the gutsy Jo and her macho, soon-to-be-ex Bill, have invented "Dorothy," a tank containing sensors that can provide much-needed info about these mysterious, severe weather conditions. But in order for Dorothy to work, she first must be swallowed by a twister. So Jo, Bill, and the gang put their lives on the line innumerable times, as getting close to the storm means dodging everything from windswept cattle to flying oil tankers. For Jo and Bill in particular, making meteorological history means having firsthand experience of the inside of a twister... [More]
Genre: Action/Adventure
Starring: Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes, Jami Gertz, Lois Smith
Screenwriter: Michael Crichton, Anne-Marie Martin
Producer: Kathleen Kennedy, Ian Bryce
DVD Info
Release:
Jun 5, 2008
Blu-ray Disc Features:
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.40
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Tru HD 5.1 Surround - English
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - French
- Subtitles - English (SDH), French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - Jon De Bont - Director; Stefen Fangmeier - Visual Effects Supervisor
- Documentary - The History Channel Documentary Nature Tech: TORNADOES ANATOMY OF A TWISTER
- Featurette - CHASING THE STORM: TWISTER REVISITED
- Making Of - HBO FIRST LOOK: THE MAKING OF TWISTER
- Music Video - "Human Being" - Van Halen
- Trailer - Theatrical Trailers
Reviews
It may not be fashionable to like Twister, but darn if it isn't an entertaining electro-shock of action cinema.
Surely the only movie to ever suggest a dumbed-down His Girl Friday, Road Runner cartoon, and The Abyss simultaneously
When it sticks to kinetically portraying the sheer oddness of the tornadic phenomenon, Twister is a breeze. When it tries to recreate Hawks, it falls gracelessly from the green sky.
The plot is thin and the characters are shallow. But who cares! The picture and sound are knockouts.
Twister isn't the brilliant machine that Speed was, but it often packs a comparable wallop.
Special-effects highlight this Jan DeBont-directed blockbuster that's ruined by cliched plotting and irritating characters.
Formulaic writing is more than made up for by awesome visceral thrills.
Enjoy every cow flying, tractor crashing frame. (published 5-17-96)
Even though the plot is more predictable than the path of a tornado, it's still exciting entertainment.
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