Back to the Future part II is crazy. I think that’s the best way to describe it. After the events of Part I, the sequel follows almost immediately. Back to the Future Parts II and III were filmed back to back in 1989-1990. Each one quickly followed its predecessor since the success of the first BttF in 1985. Part II had a $40 million budget and made over $332 million worldwide. Much or the original cast returned except Crispin Glover and Claudia Wells. Part II was released November 22, 1989 to mixed reviews from critics. It currently holds a 7.8/10 on IMDb.

For those of you who have seen it I’ll try to summarize. Doc Brown finds Marty happily enjoying 1985. Doc tells Marty that Marty’s kids are in danger in the future and need help. They both travel to 2015 to discover a strange world with flying cars and growing pizzas. In short Biff (the reoccurring villain) steals the time machine and travels to 1955 so he can change 1985 because he wants a better 2015. He ends up ruining the world and everything is terrible. Marty and Doc have to fix the time line. In the end Doc is stuck in 1885 and Marty has to go save him.

The movie is a lot more technical then that but that’s the easy description. It’s a lot easier if you would just go watch it.

I love this entire trilogy. If that wasn’t evident yet. The use of time travel and classic 80s tunes are fantastically done. Even the use of the “butterfly effect” is well done. For those of you not versed in made up science, the butterfly effect is when someone goes back in time and accidentally kills a butterfly. The results in the present could be disastrous. You never know what that butterfly could effect in the past. I’m part II this is addressed when the villain helps his past self make a lot of money and in the end takes over the present. It’s really messed up but also fascinating.

I really enjoy this trilogy and highly suggest it. Or more accurately I think you should all rewatch it.

-RytheGeek

Back to the Future

Time travel is pretty neat. For a long time I’ve wanted to see the signing of the Declaration of Independence or the birth of Christ. Back to the Future is the quintessential geek movie that made time travel seem possible. With a stroke of luck, good casting, and 1.21 Jigawatts Robert Zemeckis made a trilogy that has stood the rest of time.

Most people have seen BttF sometime in the past 33 years but for those of you who have missed it I’ll explain briefly. Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) is friends with an old scientist named Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd). Doc Brown has spent his whole life trying to achieve time travel, and does it by converting an AMC DeLorean into a time machine. Marty accidentally travels back to 1955 (from the present 1985) and hi jinx ensue.

The comedy written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale was an instant success. The movie made over $11 million opening weekend and has since made over $210 million. To be fair the film wasn’t always a classic though. “The script was rejected forty four times before it was finally green-lit.” IMDb.com reports. Thankfully the finished product was astounding and still holds a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.

In the 33 years since it’s July 3, 1985 release BttF has spawned two sequels, several books, and cemented itself in pop culture. So much that the DeLorean was featured as the main mode of transportation for the hero in the book and film Ready Player One.

Each of the resulting BttF sequels was based in a different time period and I will discuss these films in weeks to come.

I can’t begin to praise this trilogy enough. I love everything from the score, to the 80s icons used, to the attention to detail. All of that is not mentioning the fantastic acting by the stars Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd. To say the least I’m a huge fan. I love BttF and give it a solid 8.5/10. If somehow you haven’t seen it, go watch it. And for everyone that has, go rent it again.
-RytheGeek