“Back to the Future” became a critical and commercial success as the highest-grossing film of 1985. A sequel was in development. It took approximately four years to brainstorm ideas on what Marty McFly and Doc Brown are doing besides saving the former’s future kids. Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale implemented time paradox as well as going to the past whenever altering a significant event affects the present becoming a dystopian world filled with scum and villainy. After Mr. Zemeckis finished “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” he and Mr. Gale signed on to direct “Back to the Future Part II” with the cast reprising their roles.
Released in 1989, (same year Tim Burton’s Batman came out) the sequel earned positive reviews from critics and movie goers alike. In addition to praise, it was a box office success. A year later, a third entry ended the trilogy. I have one good reason why I’m reviewing each film in the Back to the Future Trilogy. The cast are coming to Fan Expo Dallas 2025 on May 30-June 1. Michael J. Fox & Christopher Lloyd will only appear on Friday and Saturday. I got plans to take my pics with Marty McFly himself along with Walton Goggins & Christopher Mintz-Plasse. I plan on writing an editorial about my three-day experience just as I did last year.
It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS ae listed. We’ve all seen the Back to the Future Trilogy countless times.
Full & Empty Qualities
Full: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson & Lea Thompson reprise their roles and they all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Claudia Welles wasn’t available to reprise her role as Jennifer due to family issues. Elisabeth Shue took over. Meanwhile, Cripin Glover walked away due to a salary dispute. It’s a long story. So, Jeffrey Weissman replaced him wearing prosthetic makeup to resemble Crispin.
Robert Zemeckis did a terrific job directing. He also co-wrote the script with Bob Gale filled with memorable dialogue.
- Nobody calls me chicken!
- Shark sill looks fake.
- Power laces, all right!
- You’re so big!
- He’s a butthead just like his old man!
- Son of a bitch stole my idea! (my favorite line)
- He’s a complete wimp.
- Talk about Deja Vu.
Steven Spielberg served as an executive producer.
Alan Silvestri (The Avengers) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Cinematography didn’t succumb to technical issues throughout.
Pacing didn’t feel slow like a turtle crossing the street.
Special Effects at the time are solid. They still hold up. George Lucas’ company, ILM developed a groundbreaking technique. Digital composition. Assembling recorded footage of an actor playing more than one role. Compile the scenes making it look like seeing double.
Prosthetic Makeup transformed the cast into older versions of various characters.
- Fun Fact 1: Elijah Wood makes his film debut when he was a little boy at an ’80s themed cafe.
- Fun Fact 2: Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist, Flea appears as old Marty’s co-worker.
- Fun Fact 3: Mr. Fox & Mr. Llyod reprise their roles on Jimmy Kimmel’s talk show to celebrate the first movie’s 30th anniversary.
- Fun Fact 4: On an episode of “Pawn Stars,” a customer tried to sell a prop featuring the Sports Almanac for some cash. It didn’t work out. In real life, the issue contains full details.
The sequel predicted what came true in 2015. Each one listed below gets an Extra Point. As of 2025, we still don’t have flying cars and enlarging a tiny pizza in a microwave. Only time will tell.
- Drones (they fly with cameras)
- Flatscreens
- Multiple screens play simultaneously
- 3-D films (James Cameron’s Avatar)
- Jaws remains as an ongoing movie franchise (Rocky spin-off Creed, Star Wars Sequel Trilogy & Mad Max: Fury Road all came out in 2015)
- Voice activation (Alexa and Siri)
- Video conferences on TV, laptops and computers (Zoom)
- Fingerprint scan (Apple ID)
- Tacky outfits (either as a hipster doofus or attending the Met Gala)
- Smartwatches (Apple Watches)
- Digital Currency (Bitcoin)
- Handheld tablets (iPhones, iPads)
- VR headset (PlayStation VR)
- ’80s Cafe and relics from the decade (’80s Nostalgia)
- Futuristic car (Tesla)
- Automated kiosks (in any shop and now defunct Red Box)
- Miami Marlins became a reality in 1993 (the year I was born)
- A hologram of Ronald Reagan (dead celebs like Tupac and Michael Jackson)
- The Cubs won the World Series in 2016 (close enough)
The final scene with Marty reuniting with Doc Brown from 1955 sets up “Back to the Future Part III.” Followed by a preview of the final installment.
Empty: A Plot Hole involving how old Biff manage to use the DeLorean going back to 1955. Doesn’t make sense.
The Final Verdict: A-
Back to the Future Part II is near-perfect next to the first movie. If you got plans to take pics with any cast member at Fan Expo Dallas 2025, please leave a comment. Again, I’m getting mine with Michael J. Fox.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 