Back to the Future
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Crispin Glover, Michael J. Fox
Details: US/116mins (PG)
Fox is popular teen Marty McFly, who is inexplicably friends with the local nutjob, Doc Brown, a genius eccentric who has discovered how to build a machine (into a Delorean) that can take its occupant through time. When some nasty Libyan terrorists turn up one night, looking for the plutonium he promised he would use to help them build a bomb, Marty inadvertently travels back to 1955 and stops his parents from meeting. Causing a ripple effect that will result in the non-existence of him and his brothers and sisters, Marty has but a few days to fix it so his folks meet and fall in love again, and he can continue to be around and wear silly clothes that look like they were nicked from a Chuckie doll.
The film that established the still underrated Zemeckis as a force to be reckoned with in American cinema, also has the finger prints of its producer, Steven Spielberg, all over it. Save for Marty's mother continually coming on to him, and the subplot involving the aforementioned Libyan terrorists upset with the lack of explosions, this is your typical American sweetness, wrapped in shiny 80s packaging. It was how Zemeckis moved the story forward in the two sequels that was even more impressive - the second in particular is a smart and witty play on the shenanigans of the first.
You may have seen it already, but unless you were of age in 1985 you didn't get to see it like this. It might be another 25 years before you get to see it in cinemas, so make this time count.
Review by Mike Sheridan
Your Comments
Mike Sheridan
It's been digitally remastered for the 25th Anniversary, Roochie.
Posted 30/09/2010 10:08:24
JPS
4/5? What a joke. Have you deducted a star for 80s speical effects? By that logic we should deduct marks from classics like Metropolis or Citizen Kane for ropey set design or poor picture quality. Back to the Future is an incredibly well scripted and acted piece of 'family' cinema. Has multi-layered character and plot development, some hilarious comedy, rewards repeated viewing and has a great cast. And yet despite it being one of the most polished and intelligent family films ever you give it 4/5? Only one star more than a piece of junk like Salt (which you reviewed)?
Posted 30/09/2010 12:44:03
Mike Sheridan
You really think BTTF is as good as Citizen Kane and Metropolis? Really? It's a fun family movie, those two are classics.
Posted 30/09/2010 17:15:22
johhny
Yes, BTTF is a great family movie. Whether it deserves 4 or 5 stars, lets see what user reviews give it, and also can you show the average score for viewer reviews.?
Posted 30/09/2010 17:30:53
JPS
Do I think Back to the Future is as good as Citizen Kane/Metropolis? Nope. Never wrote such a thing. Thanks.
Posted 01/10/2010 00:29:59
Mike Sheridan
But you insinuated that BTTF was a 5 star film, just as Metropolis and Citizen Kane obviously are. BTTF is not a five star film now, and it wasn't then. In my opinion, It's a fun family movie - that is all. Hardly a negative review above either.
Posted 01/10/2010 12:03:28
KickedArse
I love Back To The Future, but I wouldn't have given it 5 stars to be honest. I think its more of a nostalgic thing for some people.
Posted 01/10/2010 14:42:55
BANANA
5 star movie. I brought my 11 year old and there was a row of kids beside me and it had the same effect on them as it did on me in the 80's. Great film. Great script. Great soundtrack.
Posted 02/10/2010 09:11:50
niamha
Of course it's a five star film. You have to judge each film by it's own merits. It has incredible screenplay, great performances and holds up to repeated viewings. Just because it's not as lofty as Citizen Kane doesn't mean that BTTF does not achieve exactly what it sets out to do.
Posted 02/10/2010 11:18:45
spikeprint
I completely agree with JPS. There is no reason to knock a star off BTTF. I seem to remember Kick Ass getting 5 stars, and thats hardly Citizen Kane. If you want to deduct points from movies then at least keep it consistant. Yes, Kick Ass is great, but its no better than BTTF. And yes, I think it is a classic. Its flawless, and will keep people watching 25 years in the future.
Posted 02/10/2010 21:08:16
Paul
Seriously can't wait to see it tomorrow, i grew up with these movies, i'm just hoping with the new remaster that they haven't tinkered with it, ala George Lucas/ Star Wars. I agree with the guys here though, i'm a bit surprised to see it get 4 stars instead of it's deserved 5. BTTF created a whole new breed of movies in the 80s, it was massive, along with it's two amazing sequels (Which i hope get a theatrical release on their 25th birthdays too).
Posted 03/10/2010 15:37:42
Paul
@Dara, some remastered movies look incredible, then some are just lies. A great example of the difference for me is the two Godfather trilogy box sets. The older releases with Part II split between two discs, if you watch that set, the picture's not bad, but full of damage, and the sound is hideous. But the new remastered 5 disc set is spectacular, it makes Godfather 1+2 look as if they were made yesterday, Part 3 is the same, they didn't need to remaster it, it's the 90s so it's always been perfect. I can only imagine how The Godfather remaster must look on Blu-Ray in HD. If you have 1 set or none Dara, get them both, you'll see the difference.
Posted 03/10/2010 15:42:06
AoifeA
I really don't get all the hype. Hadn't seen it before and went on Saturday night. It was grand, but Jesus hardly filmmaking at it's finest in fairness. You are all obviously children of the 80s!
Posted 03/10/2010 18:45:08
Paul
1984, myself. Seen it as a kid, blew me away, wonderful movie, magical, exciting, the best movie car i've ever seen, amazing special effects, i adore Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, two awesome classic songs from Huey Lewis & The News (The Power Of Love and Back In Time), the 'Johnny B Good' scene, the Alan Silvestri theme etc... The hype is so very much deserved, for all 3 movies. Possibly the most re-watchable series of movies ever made.
Posted 03/10/2010 21:59:48
Kaz
Class film comes across really well on the big screen and got a great reception from the crowd in the cinema definately worth a look no mather how many times you've seen it before!
Posted 03/10/2010 22:12:31
IREWolfman
Will the other 2 release too then, seen as they are to be continued...................
Posted 04/10/2010 00:58:42
Paul
Wolfman, i think they'll get released again when they're 25 years old. Only the first one is 25. They're all remastered on DVD and Blu-Ray though, coming out October 25th. Gonna be brilliant.
Posted 04/10/2010 11:35:57
Tee
Went to see it in a packed out Cineworld screen. Was deadly to watch it on the big screen with everyone around me giggling and enjoying it. Was a great evening out, and I noticed little bits that I never did on the tv.
Posted 04/10/2010 13:40:42
Paul
Going to Cineworld at 6 to see it, really can't wait, i'm watching the DVD right now, lol.
Posted 04/10/2010 14:39:16
jellybeans22
wow guys it was fantastic to see this film on the bigscreen, very diffrent to watching on television. But yet still as entertaining.If not more so!Biff is the funniest character , everyone knows a guy who was like that. And ha unfournatly for them is like him all those years later.A great one to go and have a laugh with your friends.Enjoy it.Also bring a pepsi Lite!
Posted 12/10/2010 11:54:02
Mogamat Riyadh
An all time classic and worth taking the kids to watch, really recommend this movie especially that it is clean fun
Posted 12/10/2010 12:06:19
Brian
Fun and clean!? Marty scores his moms! This movie is edgy! And the greatest 80s movie of them all!
Posted 12/10/2010 14:00:11
Bl0ss0m
Such a genius film, so many wonderful memories! This is a film of my childhood...
Posted 12/10/2010 17:22:41
Kevin
A few weeks ago I saw a DeLorean in county Cork with a US custom number plate "OUTATIME". Now I wonder if it was promoting the re-release of the movie?
Posted 12/10/2010 19:17:42
Triona
An absolute classic and a great opportunity to bring members of the younger generation along to see it on the big screen.
Posted 13/10/2010 09:47:45
dave
a classic and so enjoyable to see it on the big screen again :) recommend bringing the kids and sharing it with them :)
Posted 22/10/2010 14:16:46
masonica
Did find it odd not getting the 5th star but to me it's a pretty near flawless 80's piece of cinema. Looks great with the re-master on the big screen. Crowd loved it too.
Posted 24/10/2010 12:04:18
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