Think back if you can to the last time you saw a really good tornado based disaster movie. Unless you're a huge fan of B-movie Sharknado or the like, chances are it'll be Twister. But that was back in 1996 – 18 years ago! With extreme weather becoming ever more common, the time is definitely right to bring this unstoppable force of nature back to the big screen for another dose of cinematic destruction.
Set in the small town of Silverton, Oklahoma, Into the Storm follows a group of Storm Chasers as they travel throughout the country chasing and filming tornadoes. Led by veteran chaser Pete, on the verge of losing funding due to a lack of successful footage, he is determined to capture the ultimate footage inside the Eye of the Storm.
Elsewhere it is graduation day at Silverton High School and Vice- Principal Gary (played by Brit actor Richard Armitage) has asked his two sons, Donnie and Trey, to interview all graduating students for a time capsule video project of where they think they will be in 25 years. Donnie chooses instead to help the girl of his dreams Kaitlyn complete her video project in a bid to win her heart. When a smaller series of tornadoes hit the town, Gary and Donnie are completely cut off from each other leading to a dangerous rescue mission. But another, bigger tornado – perhaps the biggest that's ever been, is fast approaching.
The performances of the actors are all fine enough. Young actor, Nathan Kress, who plays Trey is a stand out and is definitely one to watch. The plot is fairly predictable, however you don't watch a film like Into the Storm for the actors or quality of plot, it's all about the overall thrill ride.
Director Steve Quale served his time as special effects pioneer James Cameron's assistant on Titanic and Avatar, and considering the budget for Into the Storm isn't huge, he handles the visuals incredibly well – every cent is on screen. The tornado effects are devastatingly real – the speed in which the town is torn up is frightening, especially when the winds engulf a burning petrol station and produces a "firenado" – which hasn't been seen on screen before. The hand held "found footage" style of much of the film is also super effective as it places the viewer in the heart of the action – you are feeling almost every moment as if you're there with the characters and at times it is almost heart stopping. At 90 minutes, the film also doesn't overstay its welcome.
I never had huge expectations for Into the Storm, however it proved to be more effective than I anticipated. Like Gravity proved last year, some films simply have to be seen on the big screen to get the full immersive experience. It may not be one of the best films of the year but it is a thrill ride worth taking.
Set in the small town of Silverton, Oklahoma, Into the Storm follows a group of Storm Chasers as they travel throughout the country chasing and filming tornadoes. Led by veteran chaser Pete, on the verge of losing funding due to a lack of successful footage, he is determined to capture the ultimate footage inside the Eye of the Storm.
Elsewhere it is graduation day at Silverton High School and Vice- Principal Gary (played by Brit actor Richard Armitage) has asked his two sons, Donnie and Trey, to interview all graduating students for a time capsule video project of where they think they will be in 25 years. Donnie chooses instead to help the girl of his dreams Kaitlyn complete her video project in a bid to win her heart. When a smaller series of tornadoes hit the town, Gary and Donnie are completely cut off from each other leading to a dangerous rescue mission. But another, bigger tornado – perhaps the biggest that's ever been, is fast approaching.
The performances of the actors are all fine enough. Young actor, Nathan Kress, who plays Trey is a stand out and is definitely one to watch. The plot is fairly predictable, however you don't watch a film like Into the Storm for the actors or quality of plot, it's all about the overall thrill ride.
Director Steve Quale served his time as special effects pioneer James Cameron's assistant on Titanic and Avatar, and considering the budget for Into the Storm isn't huge, he handles the visuals incredibly well – every cent is on screen. The tornado effects are devastatingly real – the speed in which the town is torn up is frightening, especially when the winds engulf a burning petrol station and produces a "firenado" – which hasn't been seen on screen before. The hand held "found footage" style of much of the film is also super effective as it places the viewer in the heart of the action – you are feeling almost every moment as if you're there with the characters and at times it is almost heart stopping. At 90 minutes, the film also doesn't overstay its welcome.
I never had huge expectations for Into the Storm, however it proved to be more effective than I anticipated. Like Gravity proved last year, some films simply have to be seen on the big screen to get the full immersive experience. It may not be one of the best films of the year but it is a thrill ride worth taking.