Back to the Future-Zemeckis Greatest Film
Back to the future is a great film to review for it highlights how successful a film can be when studio executives permit, even slightly original scripts, to get the go ahead. Even in 1985, the public was starved for anything that deviated from the formula in the slightest degree. Back to the Future is one of those scripts that has a broad range of appeal and a different feel to it. When watching Back to the Future one does not feel as if they have seen the film a dozen times before, however, this is impressive as Back to the Future is really just a new take on the old time-travel story.
The heart of the film is built around the notion of what would happen if you could travel back in time and interact with your own parents. This is exactly what Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) does with the help of Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and a modified DeLorean. It is a simple concept but this simple concept has much potential fun embedded within it, which was instantly recognized by the average audience member. This concept, combined with innovative ideas about the future and great situational comedy, all mix into a fun blend. What could be more fun that playing with the disturbing notion of going back in time and having your own mother fall in love with you?
Back to the Future is a great example of taking an old concept, time-travel, and flipping it on its head to have fun with it. Fusing science-fiction/fantasy with comedy is a tough task that is rarely done well, but when properly executed it does create a very memorable experience.
What makes Back to the Future such a gem is that the script is not only innovative, but the directing by Robert Zemeckis also excellent. Zemeckis is perfect in that he does not try and do too much, instead he allows the charming script to work it's magic. Along with Forest Gump and Contact, Back to the Future are likely to be the films that Zemeckis is remembered for by the next generation.
The interaction between Fox and Lloyd is also part of what fuels the film. Often casting is overlooked as a key element by audiences, especially in films laden with visual or special effects, but the casting for Back to the Future could not have been much better and in the end contributes much to the final product.
By 1985 standards the visual and special effects of Back to the Future are quite good and even cutting edge. A big thumb up to special effects supervisor Kevin Pike and the visual effects crew for helping create such a unique look for the film.
Isolating Back to the Future from its sequels really helps put into perspective what a unexpected and entertaining film Back to the Future truly is and makes one long for more entertainment of its type. Comically I have heard people criticize the film for getting “the science wrong” but this is complete foolishness as there is no real science in the film to begin with. At its heart, Back to the Future is comedic fantasy with science-fiction mechanisms thrown in as a mere vehicle. Criticizing Back to the Future for “getting the science wrong” is much like criticizing Ghostbusters for getting the science wrong.
Considering that Zemeckis co-wrote the script for Back to the Future with Bob Gale, I believe one can argue that Back to the Future is, to date, Zemeckis greatest accomplishment. Today, Back to the Future would likely be a production in excess of $100 million dollars, but back in 1985 Zemeckis and company pushed the film onto screens with about $$15-20 million dollars. That fact, combined with a box-office take of somewhere in the neighborhood of $300 million dollars made the sequels unavoidable.
Story A (Back to the Future is a great spin on the old time-travel story.)
Acting A (Great casting and performances really helps make Back to the Future a hit.)
Visuals A (Exceptional effects and art direction all serve the story well.)
Originality/Innovation A
Enjoyability Grade A
Home Theater/HD Factor A
Overall Grade A
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