INTO THE STORM
DIRECTOR: Steven Quale
CAST: Richard Armitage, Sarah Wayne Callies and Matt Walsh
CLASSIFICATION: PG13
RUNNING TIME: 89 minutes
RATING: **
THE MORE technology we have for making other-wise impossible scenes in films, the higher our expectations of such films. That makes sense, and you’d think that is what you’d be getting in 2014. The sad reality is that although the computer-generated tech that was used for Jurassic Park was nothing like what we have today, not many newer films can outdo the dinosaur flick.
This is because beyond the computer tricks, you really need a good story. So the first Jaws film, although made in the ’70s, might still be a better film than some of the horror/thrillers of today despite their good visual effects.
Into the Storm takes you down that road. On the one hand the film borrows from Cloverfield and Paranormal Activity in which handheld cameras are used.
This helps us to feel closer to the action since the story is about tornadoes hitting a small town.
We start off at a high school graduation where a bunch of kids look really happy to be completing school. In no time the atmosphere changes when thick clouds rain on their parade, literally. It appears to be a passing shower, but soon the town is suffering severe weather conditions with twisters as their main weapon. Everyone runs for shelter and it all feels like some-thing you have watched before.
Richard Armitage tries his best to portray a heroic dad who has nothing on his mind but saving his son. The Walking Dead fans will be happy to see Callies as a worried meteorologist who struggles to predict the patterns of the tornadoes attacking Silverton.
Together with her colleague Pete (Walsh), they put themselves in harm’s way to save lives.
From a visual point of view, this is a great film only because there are so many tornado scenes you probably haven’t seen before. The destruction of the city is also done well – if you are into that sort of thing.
It also helps that Quale starts the action scenes early on so if you don’t care about the story you don’t have to wait too long. Coming off directing Final Destination 5, it’s no surprise he brings those elements here.
But most people care about the story and it’s here the film falls flat. If you think of the disaster movies you’ve seen you’ll realise that Into the Storm brings nothing new to the genre. And the weak script will not make you want to own this one on DVD.
If you liked Twister, Godzilla and Dante’s Peak you’ll enjoy this one.