Back to the Future: Part 2 Review

On this day, October 21, 2015, Marty McFly and Doc Brown traveled to, what was then, the future! Back to the Future Part II mesmerized audiences of 1989 with its portrayal of the “distance” future. Hoverboards, flying cars, and 3D movie ads for movies like Jaws 19 are all iconic moments from the film. It even predicted that the Chicago Cubs baseball team, who have not won a World Series since 1908, would finally break the “Curse of the Billy Goat” and win the World Series in 2015. While fully functioning hove-boards may be a thing of the future, technology is slowly reaching that point. Even the Cubs have a legitimate shot at winning the World Series if they can beat the Mets in the next few games of the NCLS. To celebrate the day, I am reviewing Back to the Future Part II, the sequel to one of my favorite films.

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Comedy,
Release Date: November 22, 1989
Running Time: 108 minutes
MMPA rating: PG

The Good: Great soundtrack, Entertaining chemistry between the cast, A few hilarious moments,

The Bad: Tone comes off as unnecessarily corny, Lacks charm of the first,

Plot: 6.3/10- Part II’s biggest difference is that, while the first film managed to seamlessly pull off a goofy and lighthearted tone, Part II’s goofy moments, particularly Biff, come off as corny rather than charming. Of course, the time-travel plot, much like the first film, does lack logic, so that is not as much of an issue as it would be for more serious film. Otherwise, the pacing is solid, and its take on the future is even more humorous and amusing today than it was in 1989.

Characterization: 6.9/10- Back to the Future might not have the most complex characters but Marty and Doc Brown are iconic for a reason. They are fun to watch, and while they are not as fun as the first film, seeing the future version of Marty is still funny. However, Part II overuses the “Are you chicken?” phrase from the first film to an uncharacteristic degree.

Acting: 7.5/10- Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd’s chemistry is an excellent as ever. Their performances are what make the characters a blast to watch. Unfortunately, the dialogue is not nearly as smart or witty as the first film, and it shows as the delivery is noticeably weaker. The supporting cast is also weaker due to the campy script.

Special effects: 7.0/10- Part II’s effects hold up surprisingly well. Nothing is groundbreaking, but it at least looks good. The old-age makeup is the weakest aspect as it is glaringly obvious.

Soundtrack: 8.7/10- Alan Silvestri’s iconic theme from the first film returns along with new tracks to compliment the futuristic setting. However, the score as a whole is not nearly as memorable as the first.

Humor: 7.5/10- Part II is still a funny movie. The humor may not be as smart, but there are plenty of laughs to be had at the zany dialogue and amusing view of the “future.”

Entertainment Value: 7.7/10- Thanks to the humor and characters, Part II is, if nothing else, a fun movie. And it is one that I would watch again on occasion, albeit not nearly as often as the original film.

Overall: 7.0/10- Despite all its flaws, Back to the Future Part II is an entertaining, albeit disappoint, sequel. It may lack the charm of the original, but that does not mean it is a bad or boring film, and it is necessary viewing before watching the much better Part III.

Closing comments: Back to the Future Part II may not have accurately predicted much about the future. But without it, who knows if we would even have tried to make a hoverboard, and even if the Cubs lose, they have gotten closer to winning the World Series for the first time in years! Considering how inaccurate most films are at predicting the future, you have to admit, Part II did a mighty fine job.

Recommended for: Anyone that watched the first film,

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Back to the Future Review

On this day, November 5th, 14 years ago Marty McFly traveled back in time to 1955, which makes no time like the present to review the sci-fi classic, Back to the Future.

Despite having seen many of the iconic 80s films like Indiana Jones and Star Wars when I was a kid, somehow, Back to the Future spilled through the cracks of my viewing, but that all changed three years ago when I watched this classic for the first time.

Honestly, there is no reason to hold back my opinion on whether or not Back to the Future holds up as a classic, because yes, it absolutely holds up!

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Comedy,

Release Date: July 3, 1985

Running Time: 116 minutes

MMPA rating: PG

The Good: Insanely entertaining, Cleverly written plot, Often hilarious Memorable quotes, Timeless soundtrack, Likable characters, Superb use of licensed music, Great chemistry between the cast members, Star Wars reference, Endlessly rewatchable,

The Bad:

Plot: 9.7/10- Back to the Future’s plot is incredibly fun and clever. Not a second goes by when Marty and Doc Brown’s fast pace sharp dialogue does not entertain. 

Despite a few enviable gaps in time-travel logic, the film’s plot cleverly uses almost everything said in the beginning of the film to create smart gags and references when Marty travels to the past, some of which are even funnier on later viewings.

Characterization: 9.5/10- Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown are the main characters, and their interaction and dialogue is the highlight of the film. However, it never forgets to add some solid character development. McFly understanding more about his parents after traveling back in time is another strong aspect thematically as well.

Acting: 9.4/10- Michael J. Fox gives the perfect performance for the type of character the film calls for. He is funny, frantic, and has excellent chemistry with Christopher Lloyd, who is equally exceptional. Also, Fox is great at making a shocked/puzzled expression throughout the film; seriously, look at the pictures in this post!

Special effects: 8.0/10- For the most part, the special effects hold up rather well today, with nothing standing out as good or bad. 

Soundtrack: 10/10- Alan Silvestri's soundtrack is one of the best film scores ever composed. 

It adds such an effective sense of adventure and fun to the film. Also the movie had two great songs, "Johnny B. Goode," originally by Chuck Berry, and "Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News. The film's cover of "Johnny B. Goode," by Mark Campbell, is just as good as the original, and one of my personal favorite songs.

Humor: 9.9/10- Despite the excellent clever humor, Back to the Future is not necessarily a comedy, at least not in the tradition sense. However, Back to the Future is still an often hilarious film with many clever and smartly written gags and jokes.  

Entertainment Value: 10/10- Back to the Future is, in fact, one of the films that inspired my “Entertainment Value” rating because of its incredible amount of pure entertainment. Few films are so much fun, yet so clever.

Overall: 9.7/10- Unquestionably, Back to the Future is one of my all-time films, and an absolute classic. It has everything that a classic needs, clever writing, iconic characters, and pure entertainment value.

Closing comments: If, for whatever reason, you have not seen Back to the Future, do yourself a favor and watch it; you will not regret it!

Recommended for: Everyone, Sci-Fi fans, Humor fans, Time-Travel fans,

Please check back tomorrow for the final part of my summer anime review and Friday for the last part of my Marvel Phase 3 breakdown.

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If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.