Twister (1996)
A group of storm chasers must deal with rivals and deadly tornadoes in order to conduct an experiment that could potentially save lives.
Genre
Characters/Groups
Jo - Helen Hunt
Dusty - Philip Seymour Hoffman
The Communicator - Patrick Fischler
Mobile Lab Technician - Jake Busey
NSSL Scientist- Bryce - Taylor Gilbert
NSSL Scientist - Murphy - Bruce Wright
TV Meteorologist 1 - Gary England
TV Meteorologist 2 - Jeff Lazalier
TV Meteorologist 3 - Rick Mitchell
Drive-In Girls - Samantha McDonald and Jennifer L. Hamilton
Character thumbnails with links to profiles
Detailed Synopsis
In June 1969, Jo's Father watches the television as TV Meteorologist 1 talks about a potential tornado. Her Mother grabs Jo and they run to the storm cellar with Jo's Father. Jo calls for Toby, her dog and he runs after her. They run into the storm cellar, including Toby. Jo's Father runs to grab the cellar door as it starts to bang on its hinges. He is then sucked away by the tornado as it rips the door from its hinges.
In the present day, the GOES-8 weather satellite flies in space detecting weather patterns. At the National Severe Storms Laboratory or NSSL in Norman Oklahoma, NSSL Scientist - Murphy shows NSSL Scientist- Bryce data which shows their could possibly be a record number of tornadoes. Bill and Melissa are driving in their truck so Bill can get the divorce paperwork from Jo. Jo is on a van working on a Doppler satellite dish with the help of Beltzer. Meanwhile Dusty is in his school bus watching an Eric Clapton. Rabbit complains to Sanders about him folding the maps instead of rolling them up. Bill and Melissa arrive and Bill is greeted by his former team members, including Preacher, Joey, Haynes and Laurence and introduces Dusty to Melissa. Dusty, Preacher and Laurence mention Bill returning, but he insists he isn't. He asks Jo for the divorce papers and when she asks what the rush is, he tells her he is engaged to Melissa. Bill notices Jo didn't sign one of the pages and when she finds out Melissa is there, Jo goes to introduce herself. Jo then shows Bill the completed Dorothy unit, that he designed. Jo and Bill then explain to Melissa how Dorothy is supposed to work. Haynes then runs up and tells everyone a major storm is forming and Jo and her team pack up and drive away. Bill and Melissa then get into their truck and follow them when Bill remembers Jo didn't finish signing the paperwork. Rabbit gives Jo the past route to get to the storm. As they are driving, Jonas and his team drive along side them. While trying to avoid one of Jonas' groups vehicles, Bill drives off the road and gets a flat tire. He parks at a mechanic shop and asks Diner Mechanic how long it will take to fix the tire. Jonas is recording a video about his machine called Digital Orthographic Telemeter or D.O.T. 3 in front of Tony (Twister)|Tony, Eric (Twister)|Eric, a Mobile Lab Technician, Kubrick, Eddie (Twister)|Eddie, The Communicator and Bubba, Willie, Patty and Stanley. Bill notices the design is a copy of Dorothy and he runs over and knocks Jonas' hat off. Bill accuses Jonas of stealing his idea, but Jonas turns around and says Bill stole his idea. A fight breaks out and afterwards Bill tells Jo he will help her for one day to get Dorothy off the ground. Melissa goes into the diner to order a drink for her and Bill from a Waitress (Twister)|Waitress. Bill goes outside and stares at the skys and watches the way the wind blows. Melissa and Jo talk and Melissa mentions how accurately Bill can predict the weather. Melissa asks Jo if she still loves Bill and then accuses her of trying to keep Bill in her life. Melissa comes out with her and Bill's drink and he tells her they have to go and to follow him and Jo in their truck. Jonas notices Jo's team leaving and he tells his team to pack up and leave. AS they are driving Jo starts asking Bill questions about Melissa, but he tells her he doesn't want to fight. They then start to argue about their relationship. Jonas at first tells his team to head east when Eddie notices Jo's team headed west, and Jonas has his team change direction and follow them.