Thunder and Hurricane (2005) Review

Review By: Jim Cooke, "The PEAK" 98.5 WYCR / WHVR-AM
Review Date: May 18, 2005

I was in a broadcast production studio one morning in late April 2005. I was busy editing a recorded narrative for my radio talk show when the intercom buzzed and the receptionist told me that Steve Hoover was on line two. I didn't know Steve and I almost declined the call. Usually these interruptions are reserved for people trying to sell me syndicated programming, or from record company reps trying to receive airplay. Regardless, I took the call and I'm glad that I did.

Steve Hoover and Danny Tanner came on the talk show and told me they had produced a movie using local actors, a local setting, two cameras and an operating budget of under $5,000. They told me it was a comedy called, "Thunder and Hurricane". It was about two simple-minded cousins, Rufus (Danny Tanner) and Silas (Steve Hoover), who purchase a couple of worthless "power rings" from a pawnshop, believing the rings will give them superhero powers.

While I sincerely enjoyed speaking with Steve and Danny, I must admit that I was skeptical that this production could be even remotely entertaining. Thankfully, I also believe that you can't judge a book simply because it's sitting on the bargain shelf.

I decided to watch the movie. Believe me, I was very delightfully surprised!

Rufus and Silas live in a dilapidated trailer somewhere in rural Hoonersburg. This incompetent pair can't even manage a newspaper route, and being a couple of simple-minded dorky guys makes them unrelenting targets for the redneck town bullies. So, they purchase "power rings" and decide to become "Thunder" and "Hurricane", two crime-fighting "superheroes". The uniforms they select and the antics they go through to "power up" the rings are absolutely hilarious.

Validation seemingly comes when they rescue Daisy Clark (Molly Bailey Royer), a newspaper reporter whose car has broken down. Showing no signs of mechanical aptitude whatsoever, they somehow manage to repair her car engine using nothing but a hammer. In spite of the fact that Daisy has an IQ score that is probably higher than that of our "superheroes" and members of their extended families combined, she seems quite taken with Silas, and a budding romance begins to blossom.

After botching a few more very humorous heroic attempts, Rufus and Silas meet a self-proclaimed, retired superhero (Kraig Decker) who offers to become their mentor. Soon they find themselves involved in a crime spree that reaches its heroic climax at the Bank of Hoonersburg.

"Thunder and Hurricane" is well written, well edited, quite funny, and most certainly entertaining. This is a movie the entire family can watch. It's not dirty and it's not mean-spirited, it's just funny.

If you cheer for the underdog, you'll cheer for "Thunder and Hurricane". After all, this isn't Spielberg or Lucas, with a budget that reaches the sky and with hundreds of people filling production support roles. This is Steve and Danny with a handful of friends and $5,000!

Even with that very limited budget, Steve Hoover and Danny Tanner have captured the essence of the male heart that God intended for every man to have; a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beautiful woman to save.