I Watched the # 1 Movie on Max and It's the Throwback Summer Popcorn Flick We All Need

Let me start by saying that my usual nightly routine is highly mundane. It typically consists of putting my kids to bed, finishing up some work, tidying the house and then collapsing into a heap on my bed. But this past weekend, I was determined to sit down with my husband and connect the best laziest way I know how—by watching TV together. And since this was a special occasion, I needed a sure-thing—I wanted an entertaining movie that we would both enjoy (my spouse is dying to watch Receiver on Netflix but no, thank you) and that we could finish in one sitting. Fortunately, Max came to the rescue with the 1996 smash hit Twister.

I remember first watching the movie in theaters when I was younger and let me tell you—it still holds up. Sure, the special effects look a little janky compared to today's high-tech, high-definition capabilities, but the acting! The gripping narrative! The fashion! (I'm slightly obsessed with Helen Hunt's white tank-and-khakis combo .) Here's why the thriller is the nostalgic throwback we all need.

The Plot

In case you need a refresher, Twister follows meteorologist Dr. Jo Harding (the incredible Helen Hunt) who is obsessed with chasing tornadoes after witnessing one kill her father when she was little. Fast forward to present day and she's out chasing storms in Oklahoma when her estranged husband, Bill Harding (Bill Paxton), shows up to finalize their divorce. Except the former storm chaser turned weatherman can't resist the allure of the pursuit and joins forces with Harding to try and deploy "Dorothy," a machine that is designed to release hundreds of sensors into a tornado in order to gather critical information and improve warning systems. But the team (which includes Philip Seymour Hoffman and Alan Ruck) have only four chances to get Dorothy up into the sky—and it's not easy.

Why Is It Trending?

Twisters , the highly anticipated sequel to Twister , was released over the weekend to positive reviews ( it has a 78 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes ). The film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney and Sasha Lane, and follows another team of storm chasers as they track the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma. So either people wanted to watch the original before seeing the new flick or people like me who can't find a sitter wanted to get in on the action from home. Either way, the 1996 movie soared to the number one most watched slot on Max this past weekend and is still there now.

Why Is the Original 'Twister' So Good?

First of all, the acting is top-notch. Helen Hunt can do no wrong in my book and she delivers a credible performance as the tortured, driven and badass Dr. Harding. It's also bittersweet to see Bill Paxton and Philip Seymour Hoffman on the screen (the actors passed away in 2017 and 2014 respectively), but both are charming in their respective roles as thrill-seeking scientists. And while we get to know Hunt and Paxton quite a bit and see their emotional journey throughout the film, the rest of the cast, well, they're just there for entertainment. And you know what? That's OK! Not every character needs an arc!

Which brings me to my next point—as for the plot, it manages to be thrilling without trying too hard. The drama here is simple—they need to find a twister so they can place their device in its path and potentially save thousands of lives. Except they only have four chances to do it and it's extremely dangerous to do so! It's easy to understand and engage with, but it's not going to leave you with any lingering tension once the credits start to roll. And isn't that what a summer blockbuster should be about?

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