By: Dove
***
We’re in the middle of a gorgeous summer, so what better time for a movie date to see a monster storm flick? After gasping at the trailers for Into The Storm, I had high hopes for how it would look in the theater, and the big screen visual didn’t disappoint!
When we first meet our cast of characters in the sleepy town of Silverton, they are preparing for a high school graduation. A terse relationship is evident between Vice Principal Gary (Richard Armitage) and his sons Donnie (Max Deacon) and Trey (Nathan Kress), as they start their day. As it stands, amateur videographers Donnie and Trey are set up to help their dad record the ceremony, but Donnie has other plans for himself – a secret rendezvous with his crush Kaitlyn (Alycia Debman Carey).
In another area, we meet the hearty band of storm chasers – single mother Allison (Sarah Wayne Callies), cameramen Jacob (Jeremy Sumpter) and Daryl (Arlen Escarpeta), and their gruffly determined leader Pete (Matt Walsh). They find out through various weather reports that Silverton is about to be hit be a huge tornado, so they set out for a road trip to catch the ferocious beauty.
Back in Silverton, we meet internet daredevils Donk (Kyle Davis) and Reevis (Jon Reep), who will do just about anything to get views for their YouTube page.
But what all of these people don’t know is that on this day the largest tornado ever on record will touch down, preceded by several smaller, aggressive twisters. This is not a spoiler, because honestly, you’re not ready for what you’re about to see. The visuals are jaw-dropping and horrifying as we watch Mother Nature’s beastly storms destroy miles upon miles of landscape, much of it from the perspective of handheld cameras on the ground.
Of course with any movie like this, you’re going to have those moments of wanting to shake the characters, like “turn around, go home!” And then there are scenes like this, where you’re like “nope nope nope nope nope nope!”… but the heroine of our story can’t hear you…
As exciting as this film is, there is a deep-rooted message in the story, driven home by director Steven Quale and writer John Swetnam. From a script and storyline standpoint, this film is PG all the way, but fair warning that this movie is LOUD! You may not want to take younger children, at least not without some ear protection. Other than that, get ready for the storm chase of your life – it’s worth the trip to the theater!
Watch the trailer for Into The Storm:
CLICK HERE to read our ULx Exclusive interview with Sarah Wayne Callies