"Into The Storm" (12A)Directed by: Steven Quale.
Starring: Richard Armitage, Sarah Wayne Callies, Matt Walsh, Arlen Escarpeta.
Rated: 12A for containing sustained, moderate threat.
Running time: 89 minutes.
Out in UK cinemas from the 20th of August.
Do we really need another disaster movie? We've had "Twister", "The Day After Tomorrow" and "Sharknado". Surely storms have been covered? Well, it seems as though they haven't as Steven Quale ("Final Destination 5") directs "Into the Storm", a film which follows Gary Fuller (Armitage) and his son Trey (Nathan Kress), as they fight for survival when their town of Silverton is targeted by an unparralled group of cyclones and twisters. In a bid to save his other son (Donnie, played by Max Deacon) who has been trapped under tonnes of wreckage, Gary teams up with a group of meteorologists/storm chasers, led by the over-zealous Pete (Walsh), and including Allison Stone (Wayne-Callies), as they move ever closer into the eye of the storm.
Blockbuster season is nearly over. In less than two weeks, September will rear its head and Oscar/Academy Award hopefuls will be spewing onto our screens. However, there’s still time to catch mindless nonsense, as “Into the Storm” is exactly what I expected; blockbuster fun without the brains. But, when you set out to watch a disaster film, the audience aren’t there for its well written script, they’re watching it for its visuals and that is all. Make no mistake, the special effects are dazzling and that is the film’s strong point, but what else does it have to offer?
Well, it has nothing else to offer. The film’s script is unbelievably ponderous, filled with ridiculously weak characters and even crazier logic, which appeals to those of the found-footage generation. When it attempts to become intelligent the film literally falls apart, with many characters spewing seemingly intelligent lines of dialogue, in the hope of retaining some integrity. Yet, it doesn’t work. There’s even a sequence in which Callie’s character realises that the storms will continue to spread, giving examples of major American cities and somehow including London amongst the list. The film begins as a B-Movie and commendably attempts to better itself throughout the screenplay, but it fails to reach its high ambitions.
The film’s cast are undoubtedly talented, yet it’s the script which holds them back. Armitage’s character is unbelievably clichéd; still the actor tries his hardest to provide a decent performance and succeeds. Callies’ part is also under-written, but she makes the best of her situation and works well alongside Armitage. However, it’s Walsh who manages to entertain the most, as the comedian acts in an often hilarious role, but manages to contribute a sufficient performance.
Despite being filmed as a normal film would, a large portion of the film is also shot using hand-held cameras in order to create a real feeling of suspense, which in turn, works considerably well. This is especially evident in many of the sequences containing the most OTT of effects shots, but I’m not complaining. This is in fact an interesting addition in the long line of disaster films. Apart from CG being the film’s high point, Brian Tyler’s score is also something which is worthy of mention; Tyler has produced a taught and tense soundtrack which fits well amongst the explosions and dramatic sequences.
Verdict
Despite its inadequate script and uninteresting characters, Quale’s thriller is saved by exquisite special effects and stunts, leaving destruction-hungry fans satisfied, yet critics ravenous for a blockbuster of a superior quality.
5.5 Stars out of 10
Written by Scott Gentry.
Film Rating Key
1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.
3-4 stars out of ten = Average.
5-6 stars out of ten = Good.
7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.
9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.
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