Dominic Wade I am always intrigued by made for TV movies and although I enjoyed watching this there is one serious problem, the bad science used to push the story forward.Acting - Very average characters portrayed with no depth to them, they lacked emotion; they are simply there to move the story on. The acting was almost contrived in parts, especially the mayor.Story - The idea of two storms merging due to them being attracted to an area made of iron is in itself very bad science. Thunderstorms are controlled by atmospheric conditions including updrafts, downdrafts and upper-level winds, etc. Thunderstorms that do merge can become larger more intense storms until they dissipate. A thunderstorm will not last in the same area forever.The lightning effects are good, although I wish movie makers would get it right in regard to lightning flashing before hearing the thunder. Not all lightning creates instant thunder; lightning flashes at various distances from the observer and therefore the speed the thunder travels will also vary. They did get it right in that lightning can travel through phone lines, plumbing, etc. Although the movie takes this to the extreme with having things blow up. As for the ending, what on Earth is going on there? Absolute rubbish science to say the least.

tngmic72 While this film was somewhat entertaining at times, it completely lacked plausibility. For starters, lightning doesn't travel slowly. It travels at nearly the speed of light and it doesn't take five minutes to jump around a school hallway and zap the principal. Also, two merging storms wouldn't create a huge surge of lighting and the storm wouldn't go on forever if left alone. They all dissipate their energy eventually. The film also suggested that an explosion at a small refinery could dissipate a storm that stretches across the entire state of Missouri. That is completely ridiculous. The characters in the film also think that if a fire burns off all of the oxygen, a vacuum is left in its wake..... Just because there is no oxygen, it doesn't mean that there is a vacuum. Other gases exist (CO2, Nitrogen etc.). As far as acting goes, Stacy Keach and John Schneider did fairly well given the movie they were in. In the end, if you like terrible movies that are not well acted or researched, this film is for you.

Ole' Max This movie is quite unrealistic. Obviously the story writers didn't bother collect information on weather phenomena. The big problem with colliding weather system isn't lightning but torrential rains accompanied with floodings, and strong storms, even tornados. It is also obsolete that a boy would find out more about the weather than the weather forecasting organisations like the NOAA and others. There are so many exciting scenarios for weather-related disasters--so why did they choose something so unrealistic?

colcam And Family Friendly wins. There are times some things have to become compromises when you make a movie, and sometimes you have to compromise on the theme to fit a market.But unless you are setting up a pure fantasy you should not have to compromise on believability. In this feature, in an attempt pump up the dramatic side at the same time they tried to remain family friendly, lighting was made to "jump through hoops" (sorry about the pun) and things were happening that simply do not happen in the real world. This story had promise, this movie had potential. The direction was fitting, the photography was acceptable, the editing, acting, sound-- all made the grade. Unfortunately, like a wonderful house built on an inadequate foundation, it cracks and falls apart as it ages.So much potential.