“Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!” —Doc Brown
Today’s quick review: Back to the Future. Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) ends up stranded in the past when Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), an eccentric inventor, turns a DeLorean into a time machine. Trapped in 1955 with no way back, Marty accidentally prevents his mother (Lea Thompson) from meeting his father (Crispin Glover) for the first time. To fix the timeline and get back home, Marty asks a younger Doc Brown for help.
Back to the Future is a sci-fi comedy adventure about a teenager who goes back in time from 1985 to 1955. Back to the Future takes a relatively simple premise and spins it into a rich and colorful story. Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd are perfect fits for the roles of Marty and Doc, giving the film a solid foundation to build on. Back to the Future then layers on a fun sense of humor and a unique story, securing its place as a modern classic.
Back to the Future is greater than the sum of its parts. Every piece of the film works well on its own and contributes to the whole. The 1950s setting is both a fascinating glimpse of the past and the setup for countless jokes about the present. Marty McFly is both a likable protagonist in his own right and a confident foil for his unassertive father. These synergies and others like them make Back to the Future a robust movie with surprising depth.
Back to the Future also has a keen eye for detail. It never misses a chance to slip in a joke, say something about a character, or set up a plot point for later. The payoff is that Back to the Future is almost effortless to watch. Even though it is packed with complicated details to keep track of, the film uses a subtle touch to guide the audience safely through the maze. As a result, nothing gets in the way of the story, characters, and humor.
Back to the Future is an entertaining movie with an original premise and excellent craftsmanship. Its strong fundamentals and high degree of polish let it punch well above its weight, turning a sci-fi romp into something truly memorable. Back to the Future is an excellent pick when you’re in the mood for something light, smart, and unabashedly fun. Give it a shot if you haven’t seen it, and give it another one if you have.
For a 1980s teen comedy with a similar tone, try Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. For an emotionally laden comedy about a man trapped in a time loop, try Groundhog Day. For a light time travel comedy with a goofier tone, try Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
[8.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/). I give it an 8.0 for excellent execution of an iconic premise.