Review: Back to the Future II

By Adam C. BetterJun 12, 2021 12:36 PMArchive
Share:
Review: Back to the Future II
Review: Back to the Future II

<em>Back to the Future II</em>&nbsp;opened on this date in 1989. The film starred Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. The film was written by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, with&nbsp;Zemeckis directing.Synopsis:

Back to the Future II picks up right where the first "time traveling adventure" film ends. Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) needs Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) to travel with him to 2015 to help Marty’s kids. The pair then accidentally causes huge amounts of damage to the 1985 timeline they traveled from. Doc and Marty set out to fix all the harm they caused to their past, present and future.

Positives:

  • The first Back to the Future film is a timeless classic and creating a satisfying sequel to it was nearly an impossible task. With BTTF II, Zemeckis and Gale brilliantly created a film that was completely different in tone than the original. However, it is still a continuation of the first film’s story. The sequel is far darker than the original. The first Back to the Future film relied on sentiment and an abundance of heart. The second chapter of the BTTF trilogy is almost completely void of sentiment—and that allows the film to be a different experience.
  • The amount of memorable creativity and iconography in BTTF II is truly amazing. The Hover Board, Nike Air Mag sneakers and all the other things we are introduced to in the future 2015 have made an impact on popular culture. Few films in history have introduced as many beloved props as Back to the Future II.
  • Back to the Future II explores time travel in thrilling ways. The science and logic of the time traveling kind of falls apart if you examine it too closely. But, you get so caught up in the imagination that you gladly overlook the story inconsistencies.

Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd had perfected their performances as Marty and Doc by the time they appeared in the sequel. Their performances and interaction are the anchor of part II and the entire series.

Negatives:

  • The comedy in part II is often much sillier than the original. Fox plays Marty’s daughter Marlene McFly in the film and it feels incredibly unnecessary. The choice was only made for laughs and it doesn’t quite work. Fox’s portrayal takes you out of the movie in the scenes that he plays Marlene.
  • Crispin Glover’s George McFly was one of the most memorable aspects of the first BTTF film. Glover didn’t return for the sequel and his absence is definitely felt. The comedy, which is the weakest part of II, would have been helped if Glover were onboard.
  • Back to the Future II isn’t really a film that can be enjoyed, or even understood, without first watching BTTF. You also have to watch Back to the Future III to wrap up the events of II. Back to the Future II isn’t a standalone film the way the first one was.

In Closing:

Back to the Future II is a follow up to one of the greatest films ever made. By attempting to be a different movie than the original, it becomes one of the greatest sequels ever made. The film takes chances and almost every risk pays off because of the innovation that went into the script. Back to the Future II was never going to best the perfection of part I. By pushing the story and characters into new directions it was able to become a triumph second chapter in the BTTF trilogy.

Rating: A-

Top Articles
Five plants that need to be pruned in March

Five plants that need to be pruned in March for beautiful flowering

Mar 28, 2024 09:36 AM
What should be the temperature of the soil and air to start planting

When to sow and plant - what should be the temperature of the soil and air to start planting

Mar 28, 2024 09:08 AM

How to make your doors clean and shiny: three effective tips

Mar 28, 2024 08:30 AM

How to keep your carpet clean: 4 useful tips

Mar 28, 2024 08:05 AM
More News
Try a unique Japanese method of growing cucumbers

Fruits will grow sweet and juicy: try a unique Japanese method of growing cucumbers

Mar 28, 2024 10:05 AM
How to easily remove dish shards

How to easily remove dish shards: 3 lifehacks

Mar 28, 2024 07:32 AM

Spring 2024 hit: a haircut that stylists recommend to all women is back in fashion

Mar 28, 2024 07:03 AM

How to choose the right cat food: tips from the experts

Mar 27, 2024 21:35 PM
Top 5 facts about the Ferrari car brand

Red color and a horse logo: what else Ferrari cars are known for

Mar 27, 2024 21:02 PM
How to make your working day enjoyable

How to make your working day enjoyable: useful tips

Mar 27, 2024 20:37 PM
3 healthy and tasty snack options

Three healthy and tasty snack options without the extra calories

Mar 27, 2024 20:05 PM
Will Banksy reveal his real name?

Will Banksy reveal his real name: the artist is being sued

Mar 27, 2024 19:44 PM
Why you can't accept mirrors as gifts

Why you can't accept mirrors as gifts: signs and superstitions

Mar 27, 2024 19:18 PM

How not to ruin a relationship: 10 things not to do to avoid pushing a man away

Mar 27, 2024 18:59 PM

If food sticks to the skillet, how to avoid it: offering life hacks

Mar 27, 2024 18:42 PM
Airplane pilot leaves cockpit to deliver a passenger's baby

Airplane pilot leaves cockpit to deliver a passenger's baby

Mar 27, 2024 18:13 PM
An etiquette expert explained how to eat peas correctly

Peas are inconvenient to eat with a fork from a plate: an etiquette expert explained how to do it correctly

Mar 27, 2024 17:56 PM
Pros and cons of permanent makeup

Is it worth doing permanent makeup: advantages and disadvantages of the procedure

Mar 27, 2024 17:34 PM
Folk signs about the reeds

Why you shouldn't bring reeds into your home

Mar 27, 2024 17:11 PM

Four signs that indicate an imminent meeting with your lover

Mar 27, 2024 16:53 PM

Man gets a record number of rabbit tattoos: how many and what they look like

Mar 27, 2024 16:26 PM
Male names that attract success and wealth

Money sticks to them: male names that attract success and wealth

Mar 27, 2024 16:08 PM
Experts give advice on sun protection

Sunscreen is not enough: experts give advice on sun protection

Mar 27, 2024 15:51 PM
How to prune fruit trees in spring

Pruning fruit trees in spring: the best tips

Mar 27, 2024 15:18 PM
The woman became a millionaire on her birthday

The woman became a millionaire on her birthday: "My legs were like jelly"

Mar 27, 2024 15:03 PM
Main secret of growing tulips

They will bloom in the very first year after planting: the main secret of growing tulips

Mar 27, 2024 14:39 PM

A teenager lives on a train to save money: how much money he spends per year

Mar 27, 2024 14:13 PM

Al Pacino, 83, was caught on a date with a 30-year-old woman for the first time since his son's custody trial

Mar 27, 2024 13:59 PM
What to do to prevent salt from clumping?

What to do to prevent salt from clumping: 3 useful tips

Mar 27, 2024 13:41 PM
How to arrange furniture in the bedroom?

How to arrange furniture in the bedroom: tips for maximizing space

Mar 27, 2024 13:14 PM