'Twister'
The Ringer's Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan take shelter from an F5 tornado to rewatch 'Twister,' starring Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Cast
Bill Paxton as Bill 'The Extreme' Harding
Helen Hunt as Jo Harding
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Dusty
Jami Gertz as Dr. Melissa Reeves
Cary Elwes as Dr. Jonas Miller
Alan Ruck as Rabbit
Jeremy Davies as Laurence
Todd Field as Beltzer
Joey Slotnick as Joey
Lois Smith as Aunt Meg
Zach Grenier as Eddie
Directed by: Jan de Bont
Written by: Michael Crichton, Joss Whedon
Notes
- Budget of $90 million, grossed $495 million worldwide – the second biggest movie of 1996. Received 2 Oscar nominations (Best Sound, Best Visual Effects).
- The first DVD ever released (1997). Hit every format: HBO, pay-per-view, Blu-ray, TNT, HD-DVD.
- Originated from a proof-of-concept clip from Industrial Light and Magic showing a pickup truck driving toward a tornado with a tractor tire hitting it.
- Spielberg was initially attached to direct. Jan de Bont signed on after leaving Godzilla due to creative differences.
- Tom Hanks read for the part of Bill and got as far as wardrobe fittings before passing. Mira Sorvino was considered for Dr. Melissa Reeves but didn't want to dye her hair.
- De Bont went through 2+ DPs – the original left/was fired, Jack Green came in but got hurt when a house collapsed on him, and de Bont had to take over photography himself.
- Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton both got their retinas burned by giant lamps and needed 'elephant glasses' for 3-4 days. Both had to get hepatitis shots after lying in an unsanitary ditch.
- Helen Hunt possibly got a concussion when hit by a door in the cornfield scene; de Bont called her 'clumsy.'
- An early scene with Philip Seymour Hoffman accidentally showed his genitals for a split second; had to be edited out of future releases.
- The real town of Wakita, OK was used for filming – they bought and demolished houses in an older part of town (incredibly cheap, like $75,000 for 10 houses). There is now a 'Twister' museum in Wakita that Paxton furnished with memorabilia.
- On May 24, 1996, a real tornado destroyed screen #3 at a drive-in theater in Ontario, Canada that was scheduled to show 'Twister' that night.
- Meteorology majors increased by ~10% after this movie; University of Oklahoma saw its program double.
- Bill Paxton became beloved by real storm chasers; the Spotter Network spelled out his initials when he passed away in 2017.
Categories
- Chris Ryan and Van Lathan both pick the drive-in theater scene – the tornado behind 'The Shining' screen, compared to the T-Rex reveal in 'Jurassic Park'.
- Bill Simmons picks the opening scene (Jo's childhood trauma with her dad and the tornado/cellar door).
Quote from Rog's review:
“You want loud, dumb, skillful, escapist entertainment? Twister works. You want to think? Think twice about seeing it.”
Hanks almost did this movie. It's a 'perfect Hanks movie' – everymen in extraordinary situations. Cruise is 'too good' – the movie needs everymen, not a movie star.
No internet, the Dodge Ram, Dusty not being an Instagram influencer, no OKC Thunder references, the drive-in theater showing 'The Shining', Todd Field as an actor, Helen Hunt's hair.
- The practical special effects (actors actually getting hit by things). The 'Suck Zone' as a phrase. Jonas as the corporate villain archetype. The sound design.
- Alan Ruck's career trajectory (Ferris Bueller, Speed, 'Twister', Spin City, Succession). Bill Paxton being honored by real storm chasers.
- Dr. Jonas's death scene needed more time. Having a 'map guy' (everyone has phones now). Helen Hunt's running ('a little Segalish'). Helen Hunt's haircut.
- Unnecessary cutaways to unnamed meteorological center. The childhood trauma/dad backstory feels unnecessary.
- Chris Ryan: The tornado reveal at the drive-in – lightning flashes and tornado behind the screen.
- Van Lathan: The shot of the middle of the F5 when they're strapped to the pipes – 'a majestic shot.'
'Humans Being' by Van Halen during the hail/third tornado sequence. The soundtrack was curated with artists making songs for the movie (Tori Amos, Goo Goo Dolls).
The final ~18 seconds of the movie – the awkward last kiss, weird ending where nobody hugs. Also, why Bill and Dr. Melissa Reeves would be together – no chemistry or logic to that relationship.
Cary Elwes as Dr. Jonas – specifically his accent. The confrontation scene about stealing Dorothy where he sounds like Foghorn Leghorn. They suggest he should have just played it English.
Bill Simmons: The opening 15 minutes of 'Twister' created the template for modern disaster spectacle.
Spielberg initially attached to direct. Tom Hanks read for Bill but passed (got as far as wardrobe). Mira Sorvino considered for Dr. Melissa Reeves. Garth Brooks reportedly considered for Jonas.
Winner: Zach Grenier (from 'Philadelphia', 'Fight Club'). Also discussed: Patrick Fischler (Mad Men), Joey Slotnick.
Winner: Todd Field – makes the Repo Man joke and the 'Star Wars' joke ('that's no moon'). Limited screen time but perfect.
Happy with the leads (Paxton and Hunt). For Aunt Meg: Ellen Burstyn, Sally Field, Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon, Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger suggested.
- Meteorology majors increased ~10% after the movie; OU program doubled. Helen Hunt got hepatitis shots, got blinded, possibly concussed.
- De Bont was a staunch vegetarian, huge Tori Amos fan. Bill Paxton saw JFK's last speech at age 8. Tornado warning times are still only 10-15 minutes.
- Bill Paxton: Yes – first lead role in a $500 million movie.
- Tornadoes in movies: Yes. Flying cows: Yes.
- Helen Hunt: No – winning an Oscar for As Good As It Gets a year later is higher. Philip Seymour Hoffman: No.
- Dorothy is a dumb device – can just get knocked over. They never get hit by tornado debris. Jo's dad's lock on the cellar door was inadequate.
- The drive-in wouldn't have been open that night after two tornadoes that afternoon. 5 tornadoes in a 24-hour span would be legendary.
- If Bill doesn't show up that day, does Jo die? What kind of money is Jonas making – what's his business model?
- Is this movie better if one of the inner circle dies? (Answer: No.)
'Stop living in the past and look at what you got right in front of you.'
Bill Simmons: Speed (Jan de Bont double feature). Chris Ryan: 'Independence Day' (same summer, disaster movies). Van Lathan: Deep Impact.
The tornadoes – unanimous. But as years pass, Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance becomes the most fascinating element.