Into The Storm (12A) review
Do you remember Twister? It’s one of those films that’s always on ITV2 – and you always end up watching it…without ever really rating it among your favourite films.
There’s just something pretty cool about movies that portray mother nature losing her rag (see also The Day After Tomorrow and 2012).
With that in mind, Into The Storm caught my eye a few months back. I was expecting better special effects (of course) than the 18-year old Twister, but a similar slice of acceptable cheese – and that’s pretty much what I got.
Although the story borrows a lot from the above mentioned classics, I have to say it kept me interested.
As with most natural disaster movies, the main draw is the CGI storm and the carnage that ensues. Of course, there is a plot. It’s pretty hollow, but here goes; It’s graduation day in the town of Silverton, but it’s about to be wrecked by the biggest storm the world has even seen.
After an argument with his dad Gary (Richard Armitage), tech-savvy Donnie (Max Deacon) sneaks off with girl of his dreams (but apparently well out of his league) Kaitlyn (Alycia Debnam Carey) to help her video her investigation at an abandoned old factory.
Naturally, they find themselves in big trouble when the storm hits and Gary sets about trying to rescue his son.
Meanwhile, storm chasers Pete (Veep’s Matt Walsh), Allison (The Walking Dead’s Sarah Wayne Callies) and their team are in town to document the meteorological mayhem in their Titus – and tank-like motor designed to get them into the eye of the storm.
Of course, they all cross paths and the hunt for Donnie and Kaitlyn becomes their chief quest.
At times it did feel like I was watching something on the SyFy channel (no, there weren’t any sharks involved), but the performances of Armitage (with a slightly dodgy transatlantic accent) and Callies – along with some awsome effects – just about save the day.
Among the highlights are a flame-filled tornado and pair of idiotic red-neck thrillseekers that are so stupid it’s funny.
Overall there’s nothing truly memorable about Into The Storm, but it’s worth a watch.
Rating: 2.5/5 (Watched at West End Cinema, Boston)
