Into The Storm (2014) (PG-13)

Director: Steven Quale
Starring: Richard Armitage, Sara Wayne Callies, Matt Walsh, Max Deacon, Nathan Kress, Alicia Dabnam-Carey

Into The Storm (2014), from the trailer, seemed like nothing more than a Twister (1996) ripoff with a found footage chaser. And it sort of is. But that does not mean this a bad film by any means. In fact, it picks up where Twister has dated itself (still a kick ass flick).

The story revolves around a group of storm chasers who needs to find the big tornado to film for a documentary before funding is pulled. Meanwhile, an assistant principal (Armitage (The Hobbit films)) and his two sons are at odds on graduation day, while two redneck amateur stuntmen act like fools on YouTube (just go with me on this). As the graduation commences, a system of tornadoes begins to wreck havoc on this small community. Oh, did I mention that one of the sons (Max Deacon) has skipped the graduation to help his dream girl (Alicia Dabnam-Carey) film project in an abandoned factory (see where they went with it?). Yes, they are all filming and the footage has been spliced together to make this movie. Sounds dumb, but it works. Don’t ask me how. It just does.

You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the weather.

The cast is likable (great to see The Walking Dead alum Sara Wayne-Callies) . The camera doesn’t make you sea sick. And most importantly, the special effects are tight. The writer (John Swetnam)  creates scenarios which, as silly as they may seem, deliver that bang you remember from the movies of the mid-90’s. Cheesy but intense, including one of the most insane “HOLY CRAP" deaths I’ve seen in a disaster flick since Deep Blue Sea (1999) (No spoilers. When it happens, you’ll know. Dear, lord. you’ll know.) The rest is mostly tense drama, so don’t get too squeamish. It’s only a movie. And did I mention Titus, the storm chaser truck. I want one.

I had a lot of fun time watching Into The Storm. This is exactly what you want in a disaster picture (although, a cameo from Bill Paxton would have been nice). It won’t win any Oscars but that’s not it’s purpose. Movies of this ilk are here to make us remember how cool movies can be when logic gives way to suspension of disbelief. Shut off your brain for a near perfect 1 hour 29 min runtime and have yourself some fun. But remember, in real life, PUT DOWN THE CAMERA AND RUN! Enjoy.

This is Titus. Nuff’ said.