Review-”Twister (Two-Disc Special Edition)”

“Twister: Two-Disc Special Edition”-Own it on DVD May 6, 2008

Release Date: May 6, 2008
Price: $20.98
Rated: PG-13 (intense depiction of very bad weather)
Run Time: 113 Minutes
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Starring: Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Jami Gertz, Cary Elwes
Director: Jan De Bont
Writers: Michael Crichton, Anne-Marie Martin
Genre: Action
Special Features: Commentary, Theatrical Trailers, “Chasing the Storm: Twister Revisited” featurette, The History Channel Documentary “Nature Tech: Tornadoes,” Anatomy of a Twister, HBO First Look: The Making of Twister, Van Halen “Humans Being” Music Video
Buy It On Amazon.com

While “Twister” has aged quite a bit in the twelve years since it was released in theaters, it is still a solid action flick that is worthy of the two-disc special edition treatment. Since the first two DVD releases were in 1997 and 2000, the special edition provides a much nicer video transfer along with a few new bonus features.

“Twister” unsurprisingly takes place on a day when one of the most potent storm systems approaches Oklahoma. Bill Harding (Paxton), a former storm chaser turned TV weatherman, is in town to get Jo (Helen Hunt) to sign her divorce papers so he can marry his new fiancee Dr. Melissa Reeves (Gertz). While Bill and Melissa are in town, the storms hit.

It shouldn’t surprise many people that the story is not the main focus of the film. Instead, the story mainly exists to set up a whole bunch of action sequence. If you like your movies to have a meatier storyline, “Twister” is probably not for you. However, if you love popcorn movies “Twister” should provide more than enough action for you.

The cast does an impressive job. Leads Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, and Jami Gertz are all fine and some of the supporting characters also do a great job. As stated earlier, the new digital remastering looks great with a crystal clear picture. The audio also receives a much-needed upgrade.

As this is a special edition, it isn’t surprising that the discs are packed with bonus features. Many of the extras were on the previous releases but some are new. The commentary is with director Jan De Bont and visual effects supervisor Stefen Fangmeier and while it isn’t one of the best commentaries I’ve ever heard, it does its job. The second disc is highlighted by a newly created, almost thirty minute long retrospective featuring interviews with many of the members of the cast and crew. Fans will probably be impressed by the quality and volume of the extras found on this release.

“Twister” is a perfect summer popcorn movie with all the mindless action a viewer could possibly want. People who want more substance in their stories would be advised to pass but “Twister” is recommended to all other viewers.

Rating: (My Rating/Average Viewer)