The director of the upcoming film “Twisters” said in an interview that he intentionally chose not to make the movie a statement on climate change, emphasizing that films should not be “message-oriented.” 

Twisters, which is set to be released this week, is a sequel to the 1996 film “Twister” and follows storm chasers pursuing tornadoes in Oklahoma. The film’s director, Lee Isaac Chung, explained that it was important for him to ensure the movie wasn’t promoting a specific political message.

“I just wanted to make sure that with the movie, we don’t ever feel like (it) is putting forward any message,” he explained to CNN. “I just don’t feel like films are meant to be message-oriented.”

“I think what we are doing is showing the reality of what’s happening on the ground… we don’t shy away from saying that things are changing,” Chung continued. “I wanted to make sure that we are never creating a feeling that we’re preaching a message, because that’s certainly not what I think cinema should be about. I think it should be a reflection of the world.”

The decision to steer clear of overt political themes appears to be well-received so far. Early reviews by critics for the movie, which is set to release on July 19, have been overwhelmingly positive. 

Glen Powell, the film’s star, expressed his connection to the original “Twister,” saying it felt relatable to his upbringing in Texas. 

“It’s a movie that really meant a lot to me as a kid, you know, growing up in Texas. It’s a movie that felt very much a story of kind of the community I grew up around and the people I grew up around,” Powell said.

Chung’s approach contrasts with recent trends in the movie industry, where studios, including Disney, have faced criticism for incorporating political themes into their films. John Musker, a filmmaker who directed several Disney movies, recently criticized the studio for prioritizingpolitical messages over storytelling. He called for a “course correction” that would focus on compelling stories and engaging characters rather than messages.

This piece first appeared at TPUSA.