Into The Storm

Rating : 7/10
Release Date : 8th August, 2014
Time : 89 minutes
Director : Steven Quale; Writer : John Swetnam; Music : Brian Tyler
Starring : Richard Armitage, Sarah Wayne Callies, Matt Walsh, Max Deacon, Nathan Kress, Alycia Debnam Carey, Jeremy Sumpter, Arlen Escarpeta, Lee Whittaker, Kyle Davis, Jon Reep



What a giddy, exhilarating, roller-coaster ride this is, as the makers, through some fantastic special effects, do exactly what the title promises…

An assorted rag tag crew of people find themselves caught up in a small American town, facing a tornado. Or two. Some, like Matt & his crew (Sarah, Arlen, Jeremy, Lee), are actually chasing it down, trying to capture it through the eyes of their camera. Some, like thrill seeking buddies, Kyle & Jon, are just seeking an adrenalin rush and millions of YouTube hits. And some, like Richard, just want their town and his kids, Max & Nathan, safe. Alycia, playing Max’s childhood crush, also looks suitably scared in the few scenes she has.

Havent seen Twister, which I think had a similar theme, but this one, thanks to what technology allows now, in terms of special effects, is really something else. Especially given the camera angles chosen, you get almost a first person account of what its like to be right in the middle of a storm, watching the destruction, the havoc, the sight of cars, houses, buildings, entire airplanes tossed around like confetti. Its really some experience, and you feel awed, once again, by the power of nature.

They invest just enough time in the characters so that we begin to care for them, wish them to be safe and unharmed. There are some plotlines developed – Max, at the urging of his younger brother Nathan, finally walking up to Alycia, his childhood crush, and conversing with her. Max & Nathan, and their issues with their father, Richard, after the death of their mom. And Matt, who only seems to care about his camera coverage, goes around being the biggest p**ck, bossing over everyone in his team, threatening to fire them, including Sarah, who is trying her best to spot a tornado for him, but her best just isn’t good enough for him. Having relatively unfamiliar persons, not known stars, play the parts also adds to the charm and the slight unpredictability of the film.

The crew behind this deserve a special pat on the back for giving us ringside seats for the sheer power of a storm, the havoc a giant tornado can create. The pace of the film is tight, never lets up, an adventure to be definitely experienced on the big screen, and, just when you think you’ve seen it all, they manage to surprise you once again..