If you like visceral thrills this is for you. The effects are consistently nothing less than breathtakingly impressive. During the film's course (Director: Steven Quale) I had leisure to muse how well this would have fitted into the series of all those disaster films of the 1970s, only at that time one was wondering how they 'did it' (though it often showed). Now we do know how they 'do it' and the effects are as seamlessly perfect as one could wish.
As to the flimsy storyline, mainly centred on a group of storm-chasers, well it's only an excuse in order to display the astonishing visual pyrotechnics (and sound too) which is the film's raison d'etre, and consequently one doesn't have a chance to sympathise much with any of the characters. It's not helped by a dull, predictable script, though the people caught up in the conditions are not intended to be much more than ciphers. Richard Armitage, as a college vice-principal is particularly colourless. He has a teenage son who resents his father's seeming lack of interest in him. The rest of the cast is a motley collection, including a couple of regulation, irritating, cocky characters who consider themselves untouchable and whom one wills to get their comeuppance - quickly.
A chain of tornados hits the town of Silverton, Oklahoma, progressing in strength and ending with the awesome spectacle of funnels combining to create the monster of them all.
I was half-expecting at the film's end to hear some sermonising words, or a final caption, on facing up to the perils of climate change, from which, it seems, there's practically no escape now, but we were spared that.
I actually wasn't going to see this film but Ron @ http://retiredindelaware.blogspot.co.uk/ enjoyed it in the manner of a sort of fairground ride (some of which which he'd been experiencing in Toronto around the time) so I went along myself - and that's precisely what it's like. If it was to be rated for special effects alone it must score highly, but it's one of those disposable films with little substance, and I don't think it's pretending to be any more than that. So as an all-round experience I award it a fairly lowly, but not entirely dismissive.................4/10
I thought it was a tv film that had a lot of money thrown at it
ReplyDeletePerhaps it was
I'm not sure if it really was that expensive to make, J.G., but then I don't know the costs of CGI which, I should think, are quite modest in cinematic terms. But if one wants to see this at all I do think it demands to be seen on as big a screen as is reasonable. On TV it'll only be a fraction of the experience.
DeleteMade for people who judge a movie only for its CGI effects. I don't fit into that category so I'll just skip this one.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's precisely that, Paul - a bit of fun at the time but hardly profound on any level.
DeleteOverall I find natural forces make bad 'movie villains'; there is no satisfactory victory in the fight.
ReplyDeleteVery true. It's all very superficial, though I think any serious message that this film has (and there is a BIG one to be exploited) gets lost in a larky, though fascinating, fun ride.
Deleteon the other hand, I love hurricanes and twisters.
DeleteFrom a distance, I hope, Dr Dpo. But yes, the film passed the time not too disagreeably.
DeleteDoes not sound like my kind of flick. I'm not into natural disaster or special effect films. I'm flying to the east coast Saturday so have been renting films on my I pad for the trip. So far Benny & Joon as well as 127 Hours are on the I pad. Since I heard Aaron speak about his experience at the seminar 127 hours will be good and another speaker referred to Benny & Joon in his talk so I made a note to add it to watch list. I will rent two more so I'm busy the entire flight each way. In my past I never watched many movies but now with this iPad and the frequent travels of recent I am renting and watching more and more.
ReplyDeleteIf you know that you're not going to be impressed by special effects, FB, then there's not much point in seeing 'Storm' - as that's really the only reason to see it.
DeleteI'm keen to read your opinion of '127 Hours' with your additional point of interest in wanting to watch it. I also want to know if you managed to keep your eye on it during the climactic scene without going f/f. But on any terms I think it's a good film with a most unusual storyline.
I hadn't heard of 'Benny and Joon' and am still no wiser having consulted IMDb. I can only assume that you're referring to the 1993 Johnny Depp film, of which I also had not heard. It definitely didn't get a theatrical release over here, nor has it been shown on TV.
I hope we'll be able to exchange more views on film in future, maybe of the extra ones you're going to be watching on your upcoming flight.
Wishing you a comfortable, problem-free journey - both ways!
Excellent review Ray! I agree on all counts. The CGI effects were seamless, as you said. The story line? Well, it was to be as expected. Slapped together to give the film a reason to display the impressive CGI special effects, which were spectacular. I loved how one of the annoying characters at the end got his comeuppance. I actually think I heard a few applaud in the audience when that cipher occurred. Normally I wouldn't watch a movie of this genre but Pat likes special effects and for this movie the spectacular effects only work well on the big screen. A small screen TV, even if you do have a 60 inch flat screen, wouldn't do this film justice.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I saw "The Hundred Foot Journey." Again, I would be very interested in reading your review of this very nice, modest film.
Thanks for the review of "Into the Storm."
Ron
Ron, I thought that as our scores were divergent that you would have disagreed more with what I said but I see that that was far from the case. (Whether I'm relieved or disappointed, I can't say.)
DeleteYes, without the special effects this film would have been deadly dull, but with them, for fans of it, the film is a good recommendation.
'100 ft Journey' doesn't open here for a week or two yet, but happy that it seems to have pleased you when I'd been inwardly groaning at yet another 'India is so quaint' pic.
Ray,
DeleteOh for sure this is an "India is so quaint" picture. No surprises there. Still, it was a nicely put together film and Helen Mirren is always a delight to watch.
Ron
Should be seeing it in the next few days, Ron. Your opinion makes me think it might be better than it sounds. As I'm typing this there's a review of it on the radio......and it's a mainly positive one - likeable but slight (with reservations about Helen M's roving accent). Sounds like it'll be 'okay' at very least.
Delete