Tag: christopher lloyd

Anyone can make their future whatever they want it to be. “Back to the Future Part III” (1990)

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directed by Robert Zemeckis
© 1990 Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Three films later we’re finishing this wonderful series. At the very beginning I have to admit that the last part is my least favourite, but it’s still marvellous. I’m just allergic to westerns. And since in this film Marty goes back to 1885, we’re ending up in the world of horses, cowboys and ridiculous moustaches. In case you haven’t seen previous parts, spoilers are coming. So at the end of the second part Marty (Michael J. Fox) receives a letter from Doc (Christopher Lloyd), from which he finds out that the man is safe and sound, but far far far away in the past. The boy shouldn’t be travelling there, but who can stop our naughty McFly, am I right? Especially since he finds a tombstone which says that 1885 Doc was/will be (using correct grammar writing about this series is such a challenge…) murdered 6 days after writing the letter. So with the help of 1955 Doc, Marty goes back to 1885 to save the man. And as you might be guessing, we get another portion of hilarious jokes. One of my favourites is definitely the fact that Marty introduces himself as Clint Eastwood. I mean, genius. Don’t get me wrong, this part is fantastic – funny, exciting, well-written and well-acted, but comparing to the first two, I have to rate it a bit lower. However, what I appreciate about this part is that we got a totally new idea for the story. In the first part we moved back in time, but just a bit. Then in the second part we focused on the future. So what about the third part? They could have kept on travelling to similar years, but it wouldn’t have been that interesting anymore, even though the crew is incredibly creative. Travelling to a more distant future could have turned out quite tacky, because they would have to come up with even more modern and extraordinary objects, which doesn’t always work as we know from some sci-fi productions. Choosing 1885 and more of a western form was the best option, especially since Marty and Doc fit there perfectly with their crazy ideas and adventurous way of being. In fact, Zemeckis liked the idea of presenting the Old West already at the beginning of creating the series, but waited with it till the third part. Awesome decision, if you ask me. Besides, *SPOILERS COMING* I honestly appreciate how they finished the series. Marty learns his lesson to give up on stupid people and focus on himself, Doc finds love and his place in the world (or time), we get a lovely message at the end saying that future isn’t written yet – what else could we ask for? I mean, they could have created a time machine in the form of a flying locomotive… oh wait, they did. So yeah, check, check, check. I’ll say it once again – I’m incredibly thankful for this series because it’s a perfect example how to make quality adventure films. Michael and Christopher are such a magical duo that I’m always moved to see them together after years during some events or conferences. They still share those awesome vibes and we can tell they are true friends. Thank you Robert Zemeckis for taking us for such a long and phenomenal trip. It won’t be forgotten.

My rating: 8/10
S.

Where we’re going, we don’t need roads. “Back to the Future Part II” (1989)

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directed by Robert Zemeckis
© 1989 Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Continuing our week with Robert Zemeckis, today’s a reminder to see the second part of “Back to the Future”. In this one, they are not really getting b-a-c-k to the future, they’re going there for the first time. I mean, to the new future… the more distant future… You get it, right? This time, Marty (Michael J. Fox) and Doc (Christopher Lloyd) are going to 2015 (which was a really distant future back then), where they need to stop Marty’s son, Marty Jr., from getting in trouble. Somehow they manage to save little Marty Jr., but the big Marty is so blinded by what the future looks like that he decides to profit from being in 2015. He buys an almanac (annual publication) with all the results of the most significant sport events from 1950 to 2000. This way, when they get back to the 80s, Marty will be able to earn some money on betting. Unfortunately, something has to go wrong, right? We have to have some plot twist. Biff (Thomas F. Wilson), known from the first part, notices the two main characters and decides to realise Marty’s plan before him. Biff goes back in time to give the almanac to his younger self and then gets back (are you even following?) to 2015. When Marty and Doc finally travel back to the 80s, they end up in a totally different reality they left before travelling to the future. The rest is for you to see (or remember). I have to admit that for a long time the second part was my favourite of the series. Maybe it’s because I was fascinated by the way they’d presented future and it was just more entertaining. Now, living in 2023, I can definitely say that the first part is for the win. Am I getting old? Am I already old? I have no idea, but the first part wakes up some deep nostalgia in me and I’m thankful for that. However, the sequel is still a masterpiece in my opinion, so I’ll be defending it. First, I love the fact that they didn’t cast any actors similar to the main characters – all children, parents, grandparents are played by the same actors, which makes it even more ridiculous and entertaining at the same time. Second, I’m a huge fan of the way they presented future. All the ideas, all the little details, all the jokes about how things may look like in 30 years – that’s just precious. Especially now, as we know exactly what 2015 was like. Besides, have you noticed how positive Zemeckis future was? Many filmmakers, writers, artists present their predictions in rather dark shades, while Zemeckis just made it all look fun and worth waiting for. For example, the hoverboard – come on! I’m in 2023 and I’d like one! By the way, do you know how they managed to trick us with it? Because how is it possible that they had a functioning hoverboard in the 80s while shooting the film, and we don’t have it now? Well, the secret to it is… do you want to know? Do you REALLY want to know? Well, fine, you’ve been warned – the actors were hanging on wires (later erased in post-production) while the hoverboards were simply attached to their shoes. Magic taken away? Welcome to adulthood. Anyway, not to sweeten too much, I have to say I didn’t like the character of Jennifer being so involved in the story. However, I guess I wasn’t the only one. If you remember, the first part ended with Jennifer joining Marty and Doc in the car. Zemeckis wasn’t planning to make any sequels, but after the huge success of the first part, it would have been highly irresponsible of him to leave us without any more adventures to see. Still, since Jennifer was in the car, she had to go to the future as well… I’m not saying it’s such a tragedy, because in the end her character was involved in a very creative way, but I have to complain about something, right? Anyway, make sure to watch this part and try to forget I revealed the hoverboard secret to you.

My rating: 8.5/10
S.

I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet. “Back to the Future” (1985)

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directed by Robert Zemeckis
© 1985 Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Since recently the documentary about Michael J. Fox has been released, I felt the need to rewatch all three parts of “Back to the Future” and I cannot imagine my blog without posts about those three masterpieces. That is why, we’re starting a week with Robert Zemeckis and his works of art that have become legendary productions and the reason for oldies to shed a tear. May I just say that Robert Zemeckis should have some temple where all cinephile could go to and thank for his stubbornness? I mean, talent and creativity as well, obviously, but he’s an incredibly stubborn man as well. Can you imagine that his idea for “Back to the Future” was rejected more than forty times? Forty! And yet, when he offered the main role to Michael J. Fox, the actor couldn’t take it as he was busy with another project. You know what Zemeckis did? Kept on being stubborn. He actually chose a different actor, but after shooting several scenes he couldn’t see his ideal McFly, so he insisted on Michael joining the crew, even though it meant losing money on re-shooting some scenes. Insanity? Perhaps, but don’t we appreciate it now? So if you start some petition for that temple, let me know. Anyway, I’m aware of the fact that my readers are of different ages so maybe there are some who haven’t seen this series of films. Today, I’d like to recommend you the first part, which was released in 1985. We get to meet Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a teenager from a rather miserable family, however, he seems to be doing quite fine. He plays the guitar in a band (which isn’t that famous, but hey – at least it’s fun) and has a wonderful girlfriend who supports him in succeeding in life and not following the example of his parents and siblings. Marty also has a quite extraordinary friend – Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd), shortly called Doc, who’s a scientist and asks the teenager to meet him at night. And what happens then is the beginning of a fantastic adventure. Doc presents his time machine which is DeLorean car (because travelling in time should also be cool and fancy), but right after doing that, he gets killed by terrorists. Terrified Marty tries to drive away to save himself from the gang, but after reaching 142 km/h he goes back in time to 1955. Now, the teenager has to get back home to 1985, save Doc and also make sure that his parents fall in love with each other. Otherwise… there might be consequences. Seriously, if you ask me for my favourite adventure film from the 80s, this is the title I’m going to shout. I’ve seen it numerous times and it never disappoints in entertaining me. When it comes to the casting, we all know the story about Michael now, but what about Doc? You know that the role was supposed to go to John Lithgow, but since he was unavailable, Christopher Lloyd was the one to get it? All I can say is that I’m thankful for Mr. Lithgow for having other projects, because there’s no better 80s duo than Doc and McFly, and they have to be Christopher and Michael. Besides, if those two wonderful actors hadn’t done so well, we wouldn’t have “Rick and Morty”, the series that so many people adore these days. I admit, I haven’t watched it (yes, shame on me), but it was in fact inspired by the duo from “Back to the Future”. However, even though it’s an adventure film, please make sure to watch it closely, because the filmmakers put a lot of effort in leaving tiny allusions and jokes that can be understood only if you really pay attention. I hope you’ll find as many as it’s possible and enjoy watching or rewatching this masterpiece. And all I can say is – to be continued…

My rating: 9/10
S.