"GREAT SCOTT": A Back to the Future Tribute

Well we're here! October 21, 2015, the day when Marty McFly and Doc Brown travel into the future from Back to the Future Part II. People, especially BTTF fanatics like myself, have been waiting for this day to come for years. I know it's fictional, so of course Marty and Doc themselves are not going to physically come here, but seriously why do so many people make a big deal about this day. What makes a day like this so special that was only used as a plot device for a movie. It's simple, we treat this day special because we believe the Back to the Future movies are special. To me the BTTF trilogy are just a handful of those special movies that have a combination of tones throughout that makes them enjoyable movies for people of all ages. You'll find lots of adventure, laughs, thrills, romance, and even suspense in these movies. They are an example of a movie that blends everything without looking like a complete mess. The continuity of the franchise is also one of the most cleverly put together I have seen in a movie series, and with time travel playing a part of it, things could have gone wrong easily. But with the right director, the right writers, and an unbelievably lovable cast, these movies will always stand the test of time. 




Released in 1985, the original Back to the Future is where it all started when 1980s teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) accidentally goes back in time to 1955 with the DeLorean time machine built by genius professor and buddy Doctor Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd). In the 50s, and while trying to find a way home, Marty gets into all sorts of trouble, like creating beef with the neighborhood bully Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) and having his mother Lorraine (Lea Thompson) fall in love with him instead of his father, George (Crispin Glover). Marty must resolve all of these problems, while he must figure out a way to travel back to 1985. What makes the original great is the comedy, the stakes our leads have to face, the suspense in whether Marty can get his parents to fall in love with another, the arc of George McFly trying to find a way to have confidence in himself to stand up to the bully and fall in love with the girl of his dreams, and of course the magical chemistry between Marty and Doc Brown. Unarguably one of the best duos in film history, these two larger than life characters work off each other perfectly. Add along a quotable script and a genius score by Alan Silvestri, you got yourself a must-see film classic. 



Back to the Future Part II picks up where the first movie left off on a cliffhanger, in which Doc Brown travels from th future and urges Marty and his girlfriend Jennifer to travel with him "back to the future"because their kids have gotten themselves into danger. We see in the future of this movie's interpretation of 2015 that the future is filled with many wondrous advanced technologies like self-lace Nike's, flying cars, hoverboards, fit-to-size jackets that can dry you off whenever you get wet, hydrated heat pizzas, and the Cubs finally winning the World Series! Although some predictions came through like smart TVs and video calls, we see that Marty's son, Marty McFly Jr. has got himself into jail, so Marty must fix that in order for it not to happen, But more trouble brews as Marty has intentions if bringing back a sports almanac to use as a way to gain riches. But future Biff Tannen gets his hand on the almanac, steals the DeLorean time machine, gives it to his past self in 1955, in which in turn creates an alternate dystopian hell on Earth 1985 in where Biff becomes the richest and most powerful tyrant in Hill Valley and possibly the world. So Marty and Doc must travel back to 1955 to retrieve the sports almanac from Biff and save the future as suspense, past events, and comedy ensue in probably one of the most cleverly written and imaginative sequels to date. Marty and Doc are still wonderful, Biff while still being a funny villain actually becomes more menacing, and the way this story is set up is quite ingenious and impressive.




Back to the Future Part III sees where the second movie left off as Doc, while in the DeLorean was struck by lightning and set back to 1885 in the Old West, and Marty has to gain the help of the Doc Brown from 1955 again to help him time travel. But Marty learns that the Doc while in the Old West will be shot and killed by "Mad Dog" Tannen, Biff's ancestor. So Marty must travel to Old West to rescue Doc and bring him home. While there as Marty and Doc try to find a way to travel to the 1985 with the limited technology they have in 1885, Doc meets with Clara (Mary Steenburgen) and romance between the two blossoms. This is especially great seeing how this was alluded to earlier in the series as Doc stated that time travel can help unravel the greatest mystery of all, women. It seems unlikely that a character like Doc Brown would ever find himself a love interest but they do make it plausible and quite charming. We also see Marty get himself in trouble again as he starts beef with Mad Dog after the brute gunslinger calls Marty "yellow". This has been used as a running gag in the series as Marty hates being labeled as a coward by either being called a "chicken" or "yellow". It first had been used to comedic effect but gradually and wonderfully turns into something serious in Marty's character arc as this issue he faces gets him into a lot of trouble in the future. Like the rest of the movies in the series, this one also has an exciting nail-biting climax which I notice gets improved with every movie. How do you top a train chase? After we are left with a satisfying and heartfelt conclusion to a well-crafted set of films. 



The Back to the Future films will always have a special place in my heart because it is one of those timeless classic that was made with total care and imagination.  They presented us with a wonderful adventure alongside wonderful characters ride along with. I was not introduced to these movies in my childhood, only up until I was maybe a freshman or sophomore in high school that I found interest in them, and to be honest it was a perfect time for me. As I was leaving my childhood behind in high school, I was introduced to a wonderful set of films that made me feel like a child again, going on thrilling adventures with laughs and joy along the way. And who would not go on an adventure with someone as courageous, inspirational, and daring as Marty and someone as genius, lovable, and ecstatic like Doc Brown. So I will leave with I believe is the ultimate message of the series said by th wise words of Doctor Emmett Brown, "Our future has not been written yet. Our future is whatever we choose it to be, so make it a good one!" Take care and happy Back to the Future Day!


GRADE: E