Into the Storm

During the 1970's, we were thrown one disaster film after another until we cried 'uncle'. It all started with "Airport" '69, then "The Poseidon Adventure" '72 followed. These made a truck load of money, so a plethora more came out of the woodwork including "Earthquake" '74, "The Hindenburg" '75, "Airport 1975" '75, "Jaws" '75, "The Towering Inferno" '77, "Airport '77" '77, "Airport '79: The Concorde" '79, etc, etc, etc. Get the picture. Then in '05, "The Poseidon Adventure" was remade, and in 1996, the captivating film "Twister" was released to major audiences. Well, looks like disaster films could be back in the form of "Into the Storm".

In the span of a single day, the town of Silverton is ravaged by an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes. The entire town including Gary (Richard Armitage), and his two sons, Donnie (Max Deacon) and Trey (Nathan Kress), is at the mercy of the erratic and deadly cyclones, even as storm trackers, Pete (Matt Walsh), Allison (Sarah Wayne Callies), Daryl (Arlen Escarpeta), and Jacob (Jeremy Sumpter) predict the worst is yet to come. Most people seek shelter, while others run towards the vortex, testing how far a storm chaser will go for that once-in-a-lifetime shot. These storm chasers will have to face the answer to the statement: you better watch out what you ask for, because you just might get it.

Others to round out the cast are Alycia Debnam Carey as Kaitlyn, Lee Whittaker as Lucas, Kyle Davis as Donk, Jon Reep as Reevis, Scott Lawrence as Principal Thomas Walker, David Drumm as Chester, Brandon Ruiter as Todd White, and Jimmy Groce as Studious Male.

This was adequately directed by Steven Quale ("Superfire" (TV movie) '02, "Aliens of the Deep" (Documentary) '03, "Final Destination 5" '11). This should not have been a chore for this guy considering his resume, but suffice it to say, he will receive more work, if for no other reason than the genre represented. This was written by John Swetnam ("Evidence" '13, "Step Up All In" '14). Interesting how he's competing with himself since "Step Up All In" also was released today as well. Even though this film was made in the past--the above mentioned "Twister", it still had a story to this huge visual effect extravaganza. We will see more of his work in 2015's "Breaking Through", because given more work, this guy definitely has potential. The visual effects predominantly created by Rhythm & Hues, Hy*drau*lx, Digital Domain, and Cinesite were obviously seamless. It was like watching "Twister" on steroids-- computer imagery has improved in 18 years since "Twister". Plus today's audiences have got to be grabbed by the juggler to get their attention anymore.

If you're going to see this, you've got to see it on the huge screen, otherwise it will lose everything in the transition. This is a visual, high adrenaline, explosive film created for the large screen and not for your 25 incher at home.

Out of 4 Stars: 3                           Rated: PG-13                           89mins.