Twister: Critic Reviews

Science aside, it's not hard to feel that these excitable characters are a wee bit berserk. But the movie works as escapism even if you do know enough to come in out of the rain.

A summer crowd-pleaser worthy of its wind.

The movie is wall-to-wall with special effects, and they're all convincing, although it's impossible for me to explain how Bill and Jo escape serious injury while staring right up into the Suck Zone of the Finger of God.

Even more than with most of Michael Crichton's concoctions, this one conveys the overwhelming impression of a mechanical entertainment, a very high concept in which the characters and their problems seem like utterly arbitrary creations.

It's a perfect motion picture roller coaster -- fun, fast, and furious... as long as you don't think too hard.

You know a movie is in trouble when a cow provides its only moment of authentic human interest.

An expert in making audiences squirm and twist, at making us feel the rush of experience right along with the actors, De Bont choreographs action and suspense so beautifully he makes it seem like a snap.

Decent disaster movie for teens.

Extreme-weather buffs, thrill-ride junkies and anyone else in search of mindless entertainment need look no further.

The action starts in the opening frame and never lets up.

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.

Effects apart, this is dire: predictable, cliched, sloppily written, pitifully performed and surprisingly short of real shocks and suspense.

I am going to recommend Twister for three reasons.

Ugh. Not even a passable popcorn pic, I'm afraid.

Special-effects highlight this Jan DeBont-directed blockbuster that's ruined by cliched plotting and irritating characters.

About as much fun as watching a weather report.

An excellent example of what the Hollywood F/X blockbuster has become -- all show and very little substance.

Formulaic writing is more than made up for by awesome visceral thrills.

Enjoy every cow flying, tractor crashing frame. (published 5-17-96)