Common Sense Note
Teens will be excited about the great special effects in this adventure movie, although they may be disappointed by the thin plot. Parents should know that the main characters are a soon-to-be-divorced couple who are still sexually attracted to each other. All of the characters put themselves in dangerous situations as part of their job. In the opening scene, a girl watches as a tornado carries her father away, and there are several frightening scenes involving the destructive storms.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: M. Faust
TWISTER's raison d'etre is showing off elaborate special effects that create the experience of being near and even in a tornado. A tornado isn't an easy phenomenon to build a plot around--they can't be predicted more than three minutes in advance, and they don't last very long.
So it's partly forgivable that the filmmakers haven't come up with much of a story. The relationship woes and scientific rivalries only serve as filler between the wholly believable scenes featuring huge objects hurtling through the air.
The opening scene, about Jo's first experience with a twister, is both exciting and scary. After that, the filmmakers satisfy themselves with thrilling viewers rather than frightening them. They also drop so many references to The Wizard of Oz that families can make a game of counting them.
It's a bit of a disappointment that scientist-turned-scriptwriter Michael Crichton, who has been so good at making science interesting in movies like Jurassic Park, doesn't challenge the audience a bit more here. Still, despite being cliched, the characters are likable. In particular, Helen Hunt is as inspirational to young women interested in science as Jodie Foster was in Contact.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentOne character is a "reproductive therapist" whose academic views on human sexuality provide comic relief. |
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ViolenceJo's dad is killed by a tornado, as well as a few others. A man is impaled by flying debris. In the opening scene, a girl watches as a tornado carries her father away. There are many very intense encounters with the tornadoes. |
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LanguageModerate profanity, with one "F" word. |
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Social BehaviorAll of the characters put themselves in dangerous situations as part of their job, to study tornadoes. Some sex-related humor. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThere's a mention of a character being drunk and naked. |
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