Back to the Future: Review

When I consider the greatest movie trilogies ever made, I don't think of Lord of the Rings, or the original Star Wars movies, or even The Evil Dead. No, for me, one of my very favourite set of three movies is none other than the "Back to the Future" films, with the original being the pinnacle of entertainment. Made in 1985 and set briefly in the same time period, Back to the Future follows the adventures of a teenage boy named Marty McFly, one of the most suave and charismatic characters ever put on screen, played by the legendary Michael J. Fox, as he travels 30 years into the past thanks to a customised DeLorean DMC-12 built by Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) 

The real reason all of the Back to the Future movies are so timeless is the fact they are just a ridiculous amount of fun to watch. They are the definition of an adventure movie, with the iconic theme chiming up whenever something key happens in the story, and Marty or Doc uttering many memorable lines. They are suitable for any generation, as the humour appeals to anybody from the youngest ages to the very oldest, never getting too slapstick or too self-aware. Characters do what they were put on screen to do perfectly, with Marty being an idolized "cool guy", his Father (Crispin Glover) being a lovable yet awkward nerd, and Doc being a consistent comic relief, finally with Biff (Thomas F. Wilson) playing the hateful, aggressive school bully. 

There's very little wrong with any of the movies in the trilogy, especially the first. Of course it could be easy to criticise the fact all three are very similar in structure, with small plot-points used to distinguish one from another, but I feel this adds to their charm, meaning you get more of what you know and love. My only slight problem with Back to the Future is that the movies do rely heavily on each other, resulting in possible confusion if you have not seen them all. This is not a direct criticism of the first film however, more one of the series as a whole, because I cannot think of anything specifically wrong with Back to the Future, aside from some typical time-travel logic issues familiar with any movie involving different time zones. 

I will no doubt say it in any review I do of a film I enjoy, but the soundtrack in Back to the Future is superb, contributing vastly to the enjoyment of it all. From the opening scene where Marty is on his way to school which "The Power of Love" plays, to when we first get a glimpse of 1955 with "Mr. Sandman" idyllically humming in the background, the music always adds and never does anything negative to the on-screen events. And of course, the scene where Marty plays guitar to the song "Johnny B. Goode" sticks in my mind as one of the most iconic scenes in any movie I have seen. 

Verdict

Back to the Future holds up as a classic movie from the 80's which is as enjoyable today as it always has been. With one of the coolest protagonists ever put on screen, a lovable supporting cast and a ridiculously catchy soundtrack, you owe it to yourself to experience one of the most enjoyable films made.         9/10

"Last night, Darth Vader came down from Planet Vulcan and told me if I didn't take Lorraine out, he'd melt my brain!" 

Marty McFly