DVD Corner

Twister 4K UHD Review

“Twister” remains a blockbuster thrill ride.

Before the sequel “Twisters” hits the big screen, Warner Bros. has released a new 4K edition of the seminal 1996 summer blockbuster, “Twister.” Written by Anne-Marie Martin and the late literary icon Michael Crichton, “Twister” finds a former storm chaser (Bill) and his wife to be (Melissa) visiting Bill’s current wife (Jo) so that she can sign divorce papers. Jo (who leads a team of storm chasers) is on the verge of testing out a revolutionary new instrument dubbed Dorothy which could further study tornadoes and potentially provide more advanced warning systems. Excited by the prospect, Bill finds himself reverting to his old ways by joining in on some tornado chasing adventures alongside Melissa (who does not enjoy this particular lifestyle). Jo’s team isn’t the only one around as a rival storm chaser group led by Jonas also lurks about. As Bill and Jo embark on close calls with tornadoes, the two become close once again. Will they really divorce? Will they survive the tornadoes which become increasingly more dangerous? 

After helming the 1994 thrill ride “Speed,” director Jan de Bont followed up that action movie classic with another popular blockbuster with the palm sweat inducing natural disaster feature “Twister.” The summer blockbuster was notable for its then pioneering CGI effects and a truly dazzling soundscape. It’s the type of movie that hits the ground running and never really stops. There’s very little downtime, but when there is it’s a much needed breather for both the audience and the characters.

One can argue the relationship drama within “Twister” is a bit cheesy, but Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt make it work. It doesn’t hurt that the cast is also stacked with talent like Jami Gertz, Cary Elwes, Todd Field, Alan Ruck, Jeremy Davies and especially the scene stealing Philip Seymour Hoffman as the wild rocker Dusty. Even in this supporting role, you could tell Hoffman was bound for greater things.

Let’s be real though, the reason to watch “Twister” is to see the terrifying and destructive tornadoes. Whether they’re lifting up cows, demolishing a drive-in theater or violently tossing farming vehicles, the various tornadoes are the true star of the show. It’s a credit to the CGI effects team at ILM. The production design and practical effects are also quite stunning here. The truck crashing through the house sequence is nothing short of stunning.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. How does it look? Happy to report this is a quality upgrade that offers up sharper picture quality.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? Back in 1996, the theater’s audio for “Twister” was the best EVER. Thankfully, this Atmos track does not disappoint.  From the crackling thunder to the almost deafening winds, the audio envelopes you in the best way imaginable. 

Extras:
* Digital copy
* Commentary by Jan de Bont and visual effects supervisor Stefen Fangmeier.
* The music video for Van Halen’s “Humans Being.”
* A vintage HBO First Look Making of Twister special
* “The Legacy Of Twister- Taken By The Wind”- A new 15 minute extra in which Jan de Bont talks about this 4K release, the production, the effects, and more. Set footage and film clips are included.
* “Chasing The Storm: Twister Revisited”- A 29 minute archival extra with interviews, film clips, behind-the-scenes footage and discussions about everything from the casting to the technical aspects.
* “Anatomy Of A Twister” revolves around tornadoes (and creating them for the big screen).

July 7, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | 90's Movie, Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, Natural Disaster Movie, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Summer Blockbuster, Tornadoes, Twister 4K UHD Review, Twisters