The movie Twisterssequel to the classic Twister is coming to theaters with the promise of intense action and impressive visual effects to portray the fury of tornadoes. The production relies on modern scientific advances to create a more realistic experience than its predecessor, but, according to experts, there is still a lot to be done. creative licenses that compromise scientific accuracy.
Meteorology has evolved significantly since the 1990s, and storm chasers today rely on cutting-edge technology to predict and study tornadoes. However, Hollywood continues to indulge in exaggerations to increase drama and tension in movies. In this article, we analyze the scientific hits and misses of Twistersaccording to experts in meteorology and climatology.
The scientific successes of 'Twisters'
Despite some inaccuracies, experts point out that Twisters was able to realistically represent various aspects of tornado formation and behavior.
1. A more accurate representation of tornadoes
The tornadoes portrayed in the movie are more like the real thing than in the 1996 film. In Twistersthe filmmakers used real weather data and advanced computer simulations to create more visually authentic storms.
- A tornado formationwith supercells and funnel clouds, is well represented.
- The interaction between different weather systems was taken into account to explain the succession of tornadoes.
- The film highlights the impact of tornadoes based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which measures the intensity of destruction.
2. Realistic use of meteorological technology
The meteorologists and storm chasers in the movie use mobile radars, drones and atmospheric sensorsThis is something that has become commonplace in tornado research. In the movie, the characters use modern tools such as:
- Weather drones to collect data on the structure of tornadoes.
- Portable Doppler radara real technology used to track storms in real time.
- Numerical forecasting modelswhich help to understand the evolution of severe storms.
Experts praised the fact that Twisters presents a more up-to-date picture of modern meteorology, including how scientists are trying to predict the path of tornadoes more accurately.
3. Emphasis on the real danger of tornadoes
Unlike other disaster movies that exaggerate fiction, Twisters does a good job of showing how devastating tornadoes are in real life. The movie portrays houses being ripped out of the ground, poles being knocked down and vehicles being thrown kilometers awayThis is consistent with the reality of a category EF5 tornado.
The film also draws attention to the the importance of safety during severe stormsIt also reinforces measures such as seeking underground shelters and avoiding bridges or viaducts.
The mistakes and exaggerations of 'Twisters'
Despite scientific advances in the depiction of tornadoes, Twisters still makes some mistakes and exaggerations for dramatic purposes.
1. multiple and simultaneous tornadoes
In the movie, there are several scenes in which multiple tornadoes appear at the same time and in the same area. Although not impossible, this is extremely rare.
- Multiple tornadoes can occur in supercells, but they usually appear at different times and not at the same time.
- The movie shows tornadoes colliding and merging into a single giant supertornado - something that has never been documented in reality.
2. Unlikely survival in extreme situations
Just like in Twister original, the characters of Twisters face winds of over 400 km/h and debris flying at high speedbut they still manage to come out practically unscathed.
- In reality, anyone exposed to a EF5 category tornado without underground shelter would have little chance of survival.
- The movie exaggerates the resistance of vehicles and structures that, in real life, would be easily destroyed.
3. Scientists tackling tornadoes in an unrealistic way
The storm chasers in the movie are portrayed as fearless adventurers, getting very close to the tornadoes without suffering any major consequences.
- In real life, even more experienced scientists avoid getting too closeThe risk of death is enormous.
- The movie shows characters driving against a tornado or unrealistically escaping extreme winds.
The film's impact on tornado awareness
Even with some inaccuracies, Twisters has the potential to increase public interest in meteorology and severe storm safety. Films of this kind help to:
- Encouraging more young people to study climate science and meteorology.
- Raising awareness of the destruction caused by tornadoes and the importance of preparing communities for this type of disaster.
- Emphasize the need for scientific research to improve forecasting and response to severe storms.
Conclusion
Twisters strikes a balance between real science and dramatization for entertainment. While experts acknowledge that the film does a good job of better representing the formation of tornadoes and the technology used to study them, there are still exaggerations and unrealistic situations that only serve to increase the dramatic tension.
Despite this, the film can play an important role in awakening public interest in meteorology and safety in natural disasters. Just like the original Twister inspired many to become meteorologists and storm chasers, Twisters can continue this tradition, bringing science and cinema closer to the public.