Back to the Future

I took some time off this past weekend mainly just to get a break from work and have some well-earned "lazy" days. 

I'd recently seen on Netflix that the Back to the Future trilogy was on there (it has been for a while) and it marks probably one of the most significant blockbuster-blemishes on my haven't-quite-seen-it resume. I emphasize the quite in that statement because I've probably seen 50%+ of the entire trilogy, but only pieced together on TV and certainly not in single sittings. I've seen many of the iconic scenes, but couldn't quite tell you if they were from the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd film. 

Upon finishing this first film I noticed on it's informational page it claimed: "Leaving Aug 1st". Immediately I checked the other two films. Same story. Up against the clock - apt for this franchise I suppose - I made the decision that I'd watch all three in the span of two days. A "soft" marathon, if you will. 

Part of me contemplated combining them all into one review for the sake of saving me some time, but I decided against it - knowing that there was likely to be different quality throughout and I may not love the trilogy thoroughly. 

The first film is often heralded as a classic and it's completely easy to see how influential and awe-inspiring it must have been at the time. It kicked off an entire trilogy that was planned from the get-go (nice to see Kathleen Kennedy at least did it back then!) and introduces us to several iconic characters and props in cinema history. Marty McFly is a name that almost everyone recognizes (even if they haven't seen the film), as is Doc, and the Delorean car that doubles as a time travel machine. Flux capacitors, 88 miles per hour, and 1.21 Gigawatts are just more examples. For any misgivings that I may have with the film (and I have a few), it deserves tons of credit for being original at the time and giving us a blast of imagination that has been sustained throughout pop culture for a considerable amount of time. 

Do a Part IV with a new Corvette
mid-engine as the time machine. I dare you

However - knowing some of what would come in the sequels - I was surprised when I pieced together just what exactly the first film is made up of. It's 1985 and 1955. Both time periods are distinct and there's almost an interesting case study for how interesting the nostalgia must have been for 80s audiences about the 50s where as now audiences are more nostalgic for the 80s "stuff" and the 50s era is...well...kind of boring. Again, some of my opinion here is tainted by knowing what would come in future movies, but the core plot about going back in time accidentally, trying to help his dad be a man and ask his mom out, all to get back to save Doc seems small scale for a time travel film. It's all a ton of fun, but I found the film dragged the more and more it focused on his dad being a pansy and devotes way too much time to Marty trying to get his dad to ask his mom out. The reverse-unknown-Oedipus concept with Marty's mom is quite funny, but again, it overstays its welcome and continues to complicate the proceedings over and over. And with all of this being set in the 50s, with poodle skirts, big cars, and soda shop diners, I found myself getting bored. Now, I get that this film holds a place in a lot of people's hearts so I should follow that up by saying I still really like this film and it's consistently entertaining, but it's not perfect 35 years later, just as I'm sure some amateur critic will try and tell me in 2054 that Endgame isn't "that impressive" (I will fight you future person!).

[raps X Gon Give it to Ya]
"I guess you guys weren't ready for that one yet..."

But hey, I might as well be nitpicking for a film that brings so much fun and entertainment to the table and delivers it earnestly and whole-heatedly. Michael J. Fox was born to play Marty McFly with his squeaky voice, but cool demeanor while Christopher Lloyd is just as memorable as Doc with wild hair, raspy tone, and "Great ScoTT!" Also worth mentioning (because he plays an even bigger role in the future) is Thomas Wilson as Biff. He begins this trilogy as a easy-to-hate, but memorable villain who's a little over the top in a movie that is generally quite zany. There's also a palpable sense of adventure and intrigue here, likely driven by having Steven Spielberg heavily involved. A exciting original score helps to accentuate key moments and make this feel like another Indiana Jones or Star Wars. And back in 1985, I'm sure it definitely felt like it too. 

For a semi-first-timer (I'd probably seen 50-60% of this particular film) in 2020 I was glad to finally get my...ahem...timeline sorted out with this trilogy. And while I really dig the first movie and all the iconic stuff it puts in place, I couldn't help but remember that there's better stuff to come. 

CONS

• Spends too much time on Marty's rather uninteresting father and him trying to ask a girl out
• Regularly gets in its own way with the gag of his mom having the hots for him
• The 1950s just isn't all that exciting - but it's hard to fault the film here since for an 80s audience I'm sure it was
• Somewhat of a "low stakes" time travel adventure

PROS

• Absolute fun throughout. It's admirable how entertaining it is from exciting start to thrilling finish
• Deserves credit for standing the test of time and pop culture with more than a half dozen "things" that people just know about. It created iconic moments in movie history
• Has an exciting sense of adventure that reminded me a lot of Spielberg's other films
• Humor still holds up many years later
• Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Thomas Wilson all begin their turns as movie characters that everyone will remember. You can't imagine anyone else in their roles now
• Exciting original score
• Delivers a good time, is innovative (for the time) with its time travel focus, and lays the ground work for more adventure to come

Retro Rath's Review Score | 8.5/10