The Honest Trailer for Twister pokes fun at the 1996 film, while looking back at a time when summer blockbusters weren’t as dependent on established franchises. Directed by Jan de Bont, with Steven Spielberg on board as an executive producer, Twister followed a group of storm chasers researching tornadoes while severe weather conditions are unfolding in Oklahoma. The film was a big hit, with a cast that included Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Jami Gertz, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Twister grossed $495 million worldwide, becoming the second highest-grossing film of the year in which it was released.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

Critically, the response to Twister was less rapturous. Even reviews which praised the film seemed to do so with a caveat. In his assessment of Twister, Roger Ebert lauded the blockbuster for being a skillful example of escapist entertainment while also making clear that it was far from a thoughtful movie. Still, that simple quality has ultimately worked in favor of Twister. More than two decades after its release, the film continues to be recommended for the elements of action and absurdity that it contains.

As part of their series on summer blockbusters, past and present, Screen Junkies has examined Twister. The Honest Trailer which can be seen below, points out a number of the cheesy elements that have helped Twister remain in the public consciousness. In a particularly amusing running gag, the lack of interest shown to Gertz’s character by her boyfriend (Paxton) is highlighted. Beyond those notes of humor, the trailer also touches on the way that summer blockbusters have fundamentally changed.

A look at the box office receipts, just for 1996, reflects the shift. While there are some expected entries, like Independence Day and 101 Dalmatians, there are also some surprising inclusions by today’s standards. The Nutty Professor, a comedy starring Eddie Murphy, grossed more than $270 million worldwide. Jerry Maguire, the famous dramedy led by Tom Cruise, is also on the list with similar numbers. It’s hard to imagine either genre rubbing shoulders of the comic book movies and shared universes of today. And, in fact, it’s far more likely those films would be found on a streaming service in a bid for prestige and fresh content.

The Honest Trailer for Twistermakes this point too, referencing the lack of erotic thrillers for mainstream moviegoing audiences. Along with the courtroom drama, that’s a type of movie which has faded out of favor somewhat. The look back at recent history could serve as a reminder that the tastes of moviegoers aren’t set in stone, as preferences vary from one decade to the next. It’s just a matter of figuring out the next big trend that will captivate audiences.

See also  Disneyland Guest Actually Pulled The Sword Out Of The Stone

Source: Screen Junkies

The Real Reason Doctor Strange Was Extra Hard On Loki – Theory Explained

About The Author


Abdullah Al-Ghamdi
(1121 Articles Published)

Abdullah Al-Ghamdi joined Screen Rant in August 2019, focusing on movie and television news. In January of the same year, he wrote a 3500+ word piece on why Primo Colón is underrated. He considers it his finest work. When he’s not arguing for the merits of his favorite wrestler, he can be reached at: [email protected].

More From Abdullah Al-Ghamdi