First, let’s call Into the Storm what it is: A low-budget, CGI heavy, summer disaster flick meant to draw those seeking a relatively cheap thrill.
On that basis, the movie delivers.
If you’re a tornado aficionado, you might be left wanting to see more action, less side story, and perhaps a little more in the way of realism.
In essence, your ultimate view really depends on what you’re in the theater for and perhaps additionally what kind of weather nerd you might be.
…Spoilers Ahead…
Let’s be clear; this is no Twister. It doesn’t really try to be either. In some ways it’s better (mainly advancing technology since), but in many ways it’s not really comparable. But, we’re not movie critics, so we won’t go deep into those details.
Given the recent Sharknado craze, those most likely to read this probably fall into two sometimes overlapping camps: 1) Meteorological purists. 2) Those happy to see weather get film time even if it misses a science or three.
The purists will find themselves with plenty to debunk in the aftermath of this movie. The rest will at least get some action-packed moments of tornadoes sucking, blowing, and chewing their way through the town of Silverton… More than once!
If you’ve got some extra time to kill and money to burn, might as well give it a go in the theaters. If not, wait till it’s on demand or in the bargain bin at Walmart.
Rather than give a huge assessment on a movie plot that honestly doesn’t really deserve it, below are our top 10 “ugh” and “aye” moments.
Ugh!
1. Fire tornado.
2. Multiple twisters within 100 yards of each other without interaction.
3. A storm drain for tornado protection doesn’t flood. The lesser known deadly aspect of El Reno day.
4. The radar van and its 2 ft wide dish that probably runs off a 12v DC battery from the van.
5. Radar screens with nothing resembling supercells.
6. The tornadoes being picky about what and who they suck in.
7. Say “anemometer” correctly, or just don’t say it.
8. Getting a school full of people into vehicles and fleeing an imminent wedge tornado.
9. The final tornado has a HUGE eye. Like a land hurricane. Seriously.
10. Updraft centered in the middle of the tornado, centripetal force need not apply. Also, “above the clouds.”
Aye, that’s mostly accurate
1. Tornado CGI isn’t bad on the whole. The gigantic wedge is a thing of nightmares.
2. “Stretched Vorticity” is used in a somewhat relevant circumstance.
3. The first tornado that hits the school is fairly realistic in the damage it creates.
4. The intensity of the scene within the school at that time also appears rather accurate.
5. The “tornado tank” vehicle, much like the real Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV).
6. They use real weather instruments.
7. The chase tech setup in the front of the vehicle is pretty standard.
8. Debates among the chase team on which area to target. Finger pointing when wrong!
9. Yokel “chase team” with their name – Twista Hunterz — painted on truck.
10. Twin tornadoes. Yeah, it’s happened before June 16 but it seems prescient?
Reviews worth reading (added at 3:00 p.m. Aug 8)
– Review: Into the Storm makes up for in action what it lacks in science (Washington Post)
– ‘Into the Storm’ Is Pure Weather Porn. And That’s OK. (Mashable)
– A meteorologist’s review of Into the Storm (Black Bishop Wx)
James Hyde and Ian Livingston collaborated on this post after seeing a special Capital Weather Gang sneak preview of Into the Storm on July 10. The movie hits full release today.
U.S. Tornadoes
Latest posts by U.S. Tornadoes (see all)
- March 21-23, 2022 tornado outbreak - March 21, 2022
- Tornado events of 2020 - February 17, 2020
- The tornado outbreak sequence of May 2019 - May 30, 2019
I read the Bill Goodykoontz’s review in today’s newspaper (it’s owned by Gannett) which said the special effects were the ONLY reason for the movie’s existence. It didn’t mention the 1996 Twister movie by name, but today’s review might as well have done so–this year’s movie is basically a remake of the infamous 1996 Twister movie.
I’d like to see movies dealing with tornadoes and the aftermath in regards to the human aspect, but I doubt if such movies would make lots of money for the Steven Spielbergs, George Lucases and James Camerons of today’s movie business.
I think you could probably make a compelling story about a big event like April 27, 2011 with the right team. I can’t say for sure it would be a huge moneymaker though…
The best part personaly was when the 4 tornado’s had one Fire Tornado!
Then there’s the part where she says NWS is issuing Tornado Watches for the area….which in actuality, the SPC issues the watches….
When they are in the storm drain, the manhole cover gets blown off before Pete leaves the storm drain. Then later on the manhole cover gets blown away again. Did the manhole cover that got blown away miraculous get found in the midst of the storm to be blown away again?