Wolff rating: FAIR
Plot summary: Scientists chase big weather anomalies as well as one another.
Biased, pithy comments: There are some really, really amazing special effects. Really gosh-wow stuff, plus some healthy appreciation of big storms. It's also wonderful to see Helen Hunt in a lead role without Paul Reiser. Sadly, however, the writing and the story are written with the subtlety of a sixteen-car pileup. I find it ironic that a pro like Michael Crichton can get at least some of the detail right, but can't seem to make the characters fly, and when this breaks down, he sends in either the fiancee character to add exposition or just plain have the characters tell what's on their mind, thematically. Just about the time Paxton is shouting "I'm sorry your father died..." you've heard just about enough from the characters. Fortunately, this lame-duck story is punctuated by fantastic special effects and a little humor. Also, there are some bad guys running around in black minivans who have "sold out" to corporate funding, but the director saw fit to edit them almost entirely out of the movie (thank goodness). Basically, I recommend any movie other than this one if you're into characters, but if you want to see flying buildings, swirling wind, and flying farm implements, you've come the right place.
How many times I have seen it: x1
Starring: Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton