Tornado

On paper, Tornado has everything going for it-an intriguing concept, a strong cast (including Koki, Tim Roth, and Jack Lowden), and a visually striking trailer that promised a bold fusion of samurai and Western genres. But in execution, the film doesn't deliver on its potential.

As with some Wes Anderson films, Tornado feels more like a fable than a grounded story but without inviting the audience from the beginning to suspend disbelief and accept stylisation over realism and lacks the emotional depth or imaginative clarity to fully pull this off. Combined with a theatrical tone that echoes Quentin Tarantino-particularly in its monologues and character staging-the film hovers awkwardly between stylised myth and serious drama, without fully committing to either.

The result is disorienting: pacing feels both slow and rushed, the world-building is vague, and the narrative often leaps forward without enough context. Viewers are left grappling with plot holes and underdeveloped motivations, which breaks immersion.

Most surprisingly-given its dual heritage in samurai and Western genres-the film features almost no action. There's no dramatic showdown, no cathartic swordfight, no "duel at dawn" moment to anchor the stakes. The final act, while atmospheric, lacks the payoff many expect from stories built on vengeance.

This was a fun film! And the art team was on it!!! Every color and prop was so perfect- literally down to the protagonist's red nose- Wes Anderson is gonna be jealoouussss. And a samurai, pulp, scottish hybrid?! What will they do next? I really hope to see this production team make another film. I mean I have to admit that the protagonist lost its substance really quick; a fart in the wind. Yet they got me back with the action. Very on the nose funny, blocky, power ranger-esque choreography. Great aesthetic and sound design; looking forward to seeing this unique style come back soon. But I expect more depth.

This is experimental cinema... a hodgepodge of various genres and styles based entirely on the imagination of the creator ... nothing wrong with that. In the 1960s, for example, the brilliant Sergio Leone accidentally created an entirely new class of film which HAD NEVER EXISTED BEFORE -- the "Italian western." Not merely a financial success -- it turned a failed, out-of-work, actor named Clint Eastwood into a Hollywood icon. Does lightening strike twice? Not here, it doesn't. Sorry. The rating is for technical merit only. The film itself will put you to sleep. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

I was low-key looking forward to this movie when I first saw the trailer. An original samurai drama in European lands? Hell yeah! But in reality, this movie feels skeletal. The story is simple and promising, and it has its moments. But it lacks compelling characterization and the storytelling is kind of just boring. Certain plot beats just don't feel developed enough to be interesting, and things kind of just happen without much build up or clarity. It doesn't help that some scenes feel a bit illogical, making the characters seem either stupid or nonsensical.

Visually, this movie is fine. I love Tornado's costume design and the cinematography is decent. But I feel like the coloration is a bit dull and not all that interesting. The soundtrack overall is fine, but the more mellow songs are really good.

Tornado is such a missed opportunity, man. An original action-flick with an interesting backdrop and premise, let down by a story that feels unfinished and uninspired.

Tornado: Scotland, the 1790s. The feel of Folk Horror is here from the outset, a teen girl followed by a younger boy run across an upland heath, they are pursued by a band of rough looking men. Fleeing through the woods, the girl, Tornado (Koki), sees a remote mansion and hides there. The band of brigands led by Sugarman (Tim Roth) barges in and assaults the family. Tornado escapes but is separately chased after by :little sugar (Jack Lowden), Sugarman's son. There is more going on here than meets the eye. In a flashback we see Tornado reluctantly training in swordplay with her father, Fujin (Takehiro Hira)), a former samurai swordsman. Fujin now runs a puppet theatre with Tornado from his wagon. It is during a performance that they run afoul of Sugarman's gang, Tornado involves herself in robbing their loot. This results in a cascade of events starting with Fujin's death but also bringing death and destruction to others who aid Tornado. There is also a travelling circus involved, a strongman, players, a knife thrower, clowns. All on the same blasted heath. Life is cheap, Sugarman cuts the throat of a minion who has failed him, a man is stabbed for making noise. These were savage times, wagons burn, people flee for their lives into the woods. Tornado is a real Final Girl as she takes on the gang having more to avenge than just her father's death. Great displays of sword fights, archery, beheadings and arms lopped off. .All is not well within the gang either as they have their own turmoil. No magic, no monsters other than of the human variety but the differing skills of the gang members are a wonder to behold as is Tornado. There is an untold backstory as some of the characters have past knowledge of each other. Written and Directed by John Maclean. 8/10.