Back to the Future Part III

The more and more I post about Back to the Future, the more and more I learn about people's experience with it during the actual time it released. It's been almost more enjoyable than the films themselves and, as I mentioned in a previous review, I can only imagine that I'll have the same passion for MCU and Nolan films decades from now when people are "Retro" reviewing those. 

As I've learned, the original Back to the Future is often universally liked while audiences and critics (back then) are split on the remaining two entries. If you read my Part II review, you'll know that it's my high point of the series as I had a blast with the heightened stakes, Biff's villainy, and the more frequent time travel (especially into the future). 

So it should be no surprise based on those reasons, that Part III represents the low part of the trilogy for me. Now, when I say "low" I still mean that I enjoyed it quite a bit - it's good fun - but it also just leaves me with a "Really? That's it?" feeling for a variety of reasons. What's interesting is that this entry is hinted at throughout the films with Doc claiming the Old West would be his favorite time to go back to, but it's a decidedly lower stakes film that doesn't quite have as many memorable scenes, props, etc. as the previous two films. 

My biggest issue with Part III is firstly the choice of time period. As someone who's writing their own, albeit much different, time travel novel, the Old West has never struck me as particularly exciting to hearken back to. Sure, Westerns as a film genre are great and I'd be remiss to not mention how incredible games like Red Dead Redemption 2 are, but for a series where the limits are literally endless...we chose the Wild West? Secondly, after a second film where there's more hopping around, I found it strange that this final film decides to spend nearly the entire time in the West. Again, I bring the options of limitless potential and the decision was to say: let's basically just make a zany Western! 

Rockstar should make this vehicle unlockable in RDR2. 

"Do you think they'll remember us, Marty?"
"I know they will, Doc."

Luckily, this choice actually makes the third film probably the most unique of the trilogy because we're not in the 50s or 80s and the time period is drastically different. My issues with the choice of time period aside, I got past it and enjoyed the film for what it was, but was then bummed that it's really all quite low stakes. To be fair, I'm not sure this series (other than the second film) was ever really focused on how "epic" it could be, but for the final film in a trilogy to be focused primarily on Doc falling in love as he's trying to decide if he wants to be saved feels...off. 

By now, I'm pretty much just ripping on Part III, which means that it comes packed with a whole lot of charm and fun because I really do like it. It may not be the Part III I would have made, but it's what we got and it's at least entertaining throughout. Being in the Old West has its charm and seeing Marty in a ridiculous getup (at least to start) is a hoot. Michael J. Fox continues to own the role that defined his career as the small-in-stature-but-brave hero while Lloyd gets to have a fun turn as a love struck puppy. It's a bummer that Thomas Wilson gets much less to do here as "Mad Dog" Biff...he's still entertaining, but incredibly dumb so he never reaches the highs of his villainy that Part II created. 

Either way, Part III is a fun send off, with lots of Spielberg-vibes. The main theme of the original score plays proudly more often and we're treated to some wild set pieces like a purposefully runaway train and a gorgeously-shot initial travel to the Old West where fake, painted Indians suddenly become real ones. It effortlessly continues to capture the chemistry and tone that made the series so memorable and iconic by now and I'm not sure anyone could say that it totally drops the ball. I can see why some adore it after a much more "to-do" predecessor, but for me it takes the series out on a good, but strangely dull note. 

CONS

• They made the decision to pick a time era and stick to it for the final film. I'm not sure the era or the decision to stay in it were the best ones
• Lower stakes all around; almost plays more like a romance for Doc
• I was disappointed to see Thomas Wilson's recurring "Biff" rendition be less meaningful this time around

PROS

• Still manages to capture the spirit and heart of the trilogy without missing a beat
• Has a ton of fun with some memorable scenes...still has the sense of adventure that comes with this series
• Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd continue to have great chemistry and remain iconic in their roles
• Continues the series memorable original score
• Has fun diving head first into the Old West time period
• Thrilling conclusion with the train set piece

Retro Rath's Review Score | 7.5/10