“Great Scott!” —Marty McFly
Today’s quick review: Back to the Future Part III. When the DeLorean malfunctions and traps Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) in 1885, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) makes one last trip into the past to rescue him. There he finds Doc embroiled in a feud with Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson), one that the history books say will be fatal. Things are further complicated when Doc falls in love with Clara (Mary Steenburgen), the new schoolteacher.
Back to the Future Part III is a sci-fi comedy adventure set in the Old West. Doc and Marty must use their limited resources to repair the DeLorean and get back home, all while trying to avoid outlaws and romantic entanglements. The Western setting breathes new life into the series, giving Part III a whole new set of tools to work with. Meanwhile, the characters and humor are as strong as ever, making Part III a worthy finale to the trilogy.
The Old West setting works surprisingly well. On paper, the time period seems like an arbitrary pick. But in practice, the setting puts an interesting spin on the series formula. The limited technology of the era makes Doc’s inventions stand out. The Western genre opens up a new flavor of action for the movie. And Buford Tannen is the glue that holds it all together, a dangerous incarnation of Biff who helps recalibrate the story for the Old West.
The other major strength of Part III is its character development. After two movies, Michael J. Fox and Christohper Lloyd have settled into an easy rhythm together, and their banter is nearly flawless. Seeing them reunited, even after a brief separation, gives the movie an endearing quality. Meanwhile, Doc’s love story with Clara adds just the right amount of depth to the character, hinting at a life beyond the latest adventure.
Give Back to the Future Part III a shot if you enjoyed either of the first two movies. How it compares to Part II will come down to personal taste, with Part II getting the nod for creativity and humor, while Part III has a greater emphasis on story and character. Either way, Part III is well worth a watch when you’re in the mood for a light and inventive comedy adventure.
For a more fully developed Western that balances drama and levity, try Tombstone. For a comedic Western with an ensemble cast, try Silverado.
[7.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099088/). I give it a 7.5 for an enjoyable take on the series formula.