Into the Storm 2014

Hot take: this is better than Twisters (2024). The crowd work, action, characters, and camera angles all worked better. I also like the documentary and found footage approach, mixed with the POV shots. It really feels like it came from that era of movies like Chronicle (2012). It is gimmicky, yes, but it is effective in conveying the actual state of panic. The acting can be off putting at times, but strangely, I stopped caring once the disaster really starts escalating. Whatever shortcomings the performances have are overwhelmed by how stressful the situations themselves become. I think what sells this better for me is the sets. Actual physical sets. The CGI, sets, rain, debris, and wind blend together almost seamlessly, so the destruction feels much more tangible. That is also where Twisters lost me a little in comparison. That film felt more CGI heavy to my eyes, while Into the Storm gives me a stronger illusion that the actors are physically trapped inside all that disaster. The rescue missions also worked really well in terms of emotional beats.