Back to the Future

Fresh from making “Used Cars” with filmmaker, Robert Zemeckis, screenwriter, Bob Gale looked through his father’s high school yearbook. He imagined himself and his dad if they were friends and attended the exact same school. Bob came up with an idea if he went back in time meeting his dad. Rob shared his mother’s childhood stories. The pair brainstormed ideas for their first draft titled, “Back to the Future.”

They conceived a key plot point involving altering the past will change the present. According to the first draft, a professor builds a time machine sending his friend, Marty back to the ’50s where he inadvertently stops his parents from meeting each other. Bob & Rob pitched the draft to the big wigs of Columbia Pictures. Studio President, Frank Price believed the story needed a tune-up.

Afterwards, Bob & Rob wrote another draft discarding Marty traveling back to the present discovering his own time has significantly altered. For example, his father becomes a boxer. Although Mr. Price liked the second draft, he thought a sci-fi teen comedy wouldn’t be as successful as “Animal House.” Mr. Price rejected it. Back in the ’80s, time travel movies like “Time Bandits” failed to recoup expenses.

After Mr. Zemeckis completed “Romancing the Stone,” he contacted his mentor, Steven Spielberg to produce his pet project. Steven hated Frank Price for turning down “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” Thus, Steven served as an executive producer courtesy of his production company, Amblin Entertainment.

Originally, Michael J. Fox originally turned down the lead role due to scheduling conflicts with “Family Ties.” Eric Stoltz screen tested for the part. Because of his serious acting background, he was booted off in favor of somebody else with a calmer personality. Mr. Fox finally won the role as Marty McFly while simultaneously filmed Family Ties and cult comedy, “Teen Wolf.” Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson, Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson & James Tolkan signed on.

Released in 1985, (same year The Goonies came out) Back to the Future became a critical and commercial success. The film spawned a franchise including two sequels, video games, merchandise, action figures, t-shirts etc. In 2007, the Library of Congress selected Back to the Future for preservation in the National Film Registry. Anyway, I’m going to attend Fan Expo Dallas 2025 for three days from May 30th to June 1st. I got plans to take my pictures with Michael J. Fox & Christopher Lloyd. Once I get my pictures taken, I’ll write an editorial about my experience as I did last year.

It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are listed. We’ve seen Back to the Future countless times, often quote lines 24/7 and either referenced or parodied in other works.

Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson, Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson & James Tolken all did a superb job for their respective performances.

Robert Zemeckis did a decent job directing. He also co-wrote the script with Bob Gale.

Steven Spielberg served as an executive producer.

Alan Silvestri (Predator, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Avengers) orchestrated the soundtrack.

Humor balances the tone between seriousness and comedy.

Memorable Dialogue almost everybody quotes.

• Hello, McFly!
• Great Scott!
• This is heavy.
• Do you wanna be a slacker for the rest of your life?
• You’re gonna see some serious shit.
• Let’s see if you bastards can do 90.
• What are you looking at, butthead?
• He’s a Peeping Tom!
• Jesus, didn’t this guy ever have hair?
• Ronald Reagan? The actor? Then who’s vice president? Jerry Lewis? (my favorite line)
• 1.21 Gigawats!
• Maybe you were adopted.
• I’m afraid I’m just not very good with confrontations.
• Nobody calls me chicken!
• I hate manure!
• It’s you’re cousin, Marvin Berry. You know that new sound you’re looking for? Well, listen to this!
• I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it.
• It’s your kids, Marty! Something’s gotta be done about your kids!
• Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.

Practical Effects were heavily involved building the DeLorean.

Set Pieces were constructed by set decorators to create the main setting, Hill Valley.

Cinematography didn’t succumb to technical problems.

Thanks to Marty playing matchmaker, George gains Character Development going from a wimp to standing up for himself acquiring a backbone. He wins the girl of his dream. Thus, preventing Marty from fading into existence.

Opening Scene with clocks in Doc Brown’s home establishes he’s a quirky inventor. Marty testing out a giant speaker with his guitar indicates he into rock music.

Huey Lewis wrote and performed “The Power of Love.” He makes a cameo a judge where Marty auditions for a Battle of the Bands contest.

Towards the end of the movie, George & Lorraine can’t remember the guy who played matchmaker bears a striking resemblance to their son. Doesn’t make any logical sense.

The Final Verdict: A-

Despite one nitpick, Back to the Future still holds up. If you reside in Dallas or anywhere close, rewatch the trilogy. That’ll keep you less impatient.