Richard Armitage
Sarah Wayne Callies
Matt Walsh
Alycia Debnam-Carey
Arlen Escarpeta

John Swetnam

89 mins.
Action, Thriller
August 8, 2014

Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense destruction and peril, and language including some sexual references. (MPAA)

“Into the Storm” needs to focus more on its title. Almost all of its footage comes from videos culled from the characters in the film, fictional news coverage, and other video cameras. Instead of heightening the tension, those constant shifts in focus dissipate the tension and distract from the film’s supposed focus: the storm. The opening tornado sequence doesn’t do much, and the myriad characters and perspectives that follow that sequence just get in the way. I don’t care about these people; there are simply too many of them to care about and not enough interesting character development.

Unlike in “Cloverfield,” a monster film that introduced its characters at the same party with greater effect, this film introduces its characters in unrelated segments. Storm films and monster films have many similarities. The storm is the monster, in this case. Many run away from it, but a few go toward it, whether they mean to or not.

This film’s most important segment deals with the professional storm chasers. Really, this film could just follow them as they track the storm. That could’ve led to a much more taut outcome.

While clichéd, the story line that deals with the single father and his two sons has potential. But there are too many other characters surrounding them to develop that in an impactful way.

The other story lines don’t matter much. And once the two main story lines begin to converge, that combination doesn’t matter as much as it could. They just need to get on with it. Get to the storm, and stay there. You’re not making anything new.

One story line, along with some footage that highlights the intersection between that story line and the storm, would’ve worked much better. Then, I would’ve felt like I was there with the characters, instead of feeling like I’m on the outside looking in. I don’t think that was the filmmaker’s intention.

As for watching this in 3D or in 2D, the disparate video footage isn’t effective enough to justify forgoing 3D. At least in 3D, automatically, there will be more thrills. The point of this kind of film is to be blown away by the storm, not mildly entertained every now and then.

A positive note: The images are clear, and the tornadoes look impressive on the screen. When the film focuses on the tornadoes, particularly during its final third, it does provide some thrills.

“Into the Storm” is barely hit or completely miss.

Verdict: OK to Whatever

About: (Source: intostorm)

From New Line Cinema, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, comes the action-packed disaster thriller “Into the Storm.”  The film was directed by Steven Quale (“Final Destination 5”), and produced by Todd Garner (“Zookeeper,” “Knight and Day”).

In the span of just a few hours, the city of Silverton is ravaged by an unprecedented onslaught of the most furious twisters they”™ve ever seen. The entire town is at the mercy of the erratic and deadly cyclones, even as storm trackers predict the worst is yet to come. Most people seek shelter, while others run toward the vortex, testing how far a storm chaser will go for that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Told through the eyes and lenses of professional storm chasers, thrill-seeking amateurs, and courageous townspeople, “Into the Storm” throws you directly into the eye of the storm to experience Mother Nature at her most extreme.