movies/tv Back to the Future

[Dr. Mechano 630]

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need... roads."

 

Back to the Future is my favorite movie trilogy of all time, and being such a big fan of the franchise, I thought it might be nice to have a discussion here on MLP Forums about it!

 

To those unfamiliar, the plot can basically be summed up as follows: Ordinary highschool student Marty McFly and his mad scientist friend Dr. Emmett Brown go on adventures through time utilizing a time machine converted from a DeLorean, all the while having to prevent paradoxes and undo disastrous changes to the timeline, which get more and more complicated with each installment of the series.

 

Released in 1985, the original Back to the Future remains a classic, and one of American cinema's most iconic films. It's a great mix of comedy, drama, and action, and has a great cast of lovable characters. I won't spoil the plot to those who haven't seen it, but it's one of my favorite time travel stories, and has a lot of cleverly-implemented ideas. I definitely recommend this to anyone who hasn't seen it yet!

 

Its sequel, Back to the Future II, is not only my favorite of the trilogy, but my favorite movie of all time. From its tongue-in-cheek portrayal of 2015 to its surprisingly clever intertwining with the time travel plot of the first film, BttF II is nonstop fun. I can't gush too much without spoiling it, so I'll just say it's pretty awesome.

 

The final film, Back to the Future III, veers off into a different direction from the first two, sending Marty and Doc on an adventure in the old west. While some didn't like this change of tone and pace, I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie, despite considering it the weakest of the three. Doc's relationship with Clara was really cool, and definitely fleshed out his character a lot. It's not the ending most fans expected, perhaps, but it's a fitting close to the trilogy.

 

Of course, the franchise didn't stop with the movies...

 

BttF had an animated series, which I enjoy as a so-bad-it's-good guilty pleasure. The cartoon could be considered lax in characterization and storytelling, and often had pretty wonky time travel logic compared to the much better thought-out scenarios in the films. However, it was still an enjoyable show, and it expanded on Doc's relationship with his new family. It's worth a watch, I say, but shouldn't be taken as seriously as the movies.

 

The Telltale game is pretty amazing, and is basically Back to the Future IV in all but name. Marty and Doc go on an adventure in the 1930s, an altered 1986, and much more. All I can say is that if you loved the movies, you'll love the game too.

 

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And now for various stuff I like about the series at large!

 

The whole cast is fantastic, but Dr. Emmett Brown is by far my favorite character. He brings so much to this series, and arguably has the most change and development throughout its run. He's hilarious and eccentric, but also sympathetic and interesting. He's a very good example of a zany comical character not having to be one-dimensional or flat, and I love that about him.

 

The time periods visited throughout are also all great. My favorite, though, has to be 2015. It's so ridiculously campy, and I just love everything about it. While most of it was nowhere close, a few predictions BttF II made about the future did eventually come true, so that's kinda cool.

 

And of course, the music is great. The iconic Back to the Future theme, as well as Huey Lewis and the News's Power of Love and Back in Time - among other songs - create a great and memorable soundtrack for the franchise.

 

I could go on about more, but I'll leave it at that for now. So, what are your thoughts on the series as we approach the original film's 29th anniversary? Discuss!

[Flutter's lover <3 8,206]

I love BTTF. It's the reason for my love of the AMC DeLorean.I've always loved Sci-Fi stuff.

[Derpaholic 1,155]

Oh, man, I'd so love to see Marty and Doc one more time.
I never got the chance to see any of these films on a big screen, since I was born too damn late.
I like to blame my parents' lack of sex drive for this.
So yeah, Mr. Zemeckis, one more BTTF film, please!

[Zygen 6,066]

I've honestly only seen one of the movies i think. Its the one with the 88 MPH thing i think, but i don't honestly remember most of it because i was actually quite young i think, so i don't remember much.

 

From what i remember it was pretty enjoyable though, but i don't know much.

 

Never knew there was an animated series far as i remember. Or atleast was aware of so idk anything about that.

[FirestormCAN 246]

Haha, I was only introduced to this series less than five years ago. But I really wish my parents let me watch these films, 'cause they are fantastic.

 

I find the 2nd movie to be my favorite, 'cause I love how it gives ideas about the future, and yet we're seeing very little of it. Self-lacing shoes? Extreme hydration? Hoverboards? Man, wouldn't you just love to have some of that stuff? Sorry, out of luck mate.

 

Though that time train is without a doubt the most badass train I have ever seen. <3

[Puddlejumper 1,648]

I love BTTF. It's the reason for my love of the DMC DeLorean.I've always loved Sci-Fi stuff.

Fixed. Fun fact, the actual car name is the DeLorean DMC-12, meaning fully it is the DeLorean Motor Company DeLorean DMC-12. What crazy naming...

 

 

Anyways, as for the topic, LOVE BTTF. One of my all time favorite trilogies. If they ever remake it I will seriously boycott it more than anything before it. That would really irk me, redoing RoboCop is bad enough, but don't you dare even think about touching BTTF.

 

 

Another fun fact! DeLorean was planning on making a stainless pickup/car thing similar to the VW Rabbit truck. So wish it had been made...

[hawkflame 3,310]

Great movies. I'm actually old enough that I remember watching the sequels in the theaters. I recall my brothers and their friends having a slightly long and confusing (to my ears) about the logistics of time travel after the second one.

 

Oh, and anyone who's a fan should check out the AVGN's review of the godawful NES and Genesis video games.