“Back to the Future” is a science fiction film of 1985 directed by Robert Zemeckis. The plot follows the adventures of young Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, and his eccentric friend, Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, who builds a time machine out of a DeLorean DMC-12.
During a time machine test, Marty is accidentally transported back in time 30 years to 1955, where he meets his teenage parents and threatens to alter the course of events that lead them to meet and marry. In addition, Marty also meets a young Doc Brown and tries to convince him not to reveal the future.
The film has become a classic of popular culture, thanks to its gripping story, humor, memorable soundtrack and performances by the actors. It also had two sequels, “Back to the Future Part II” and “Back to the Future Part III”, both released in 1989.
“Back to the Future” was a huge box office success, grossing over $380 million worldwide, making it the top-grossing film of 1985. It also received multiple Academy Award nominations, winning Best Sound. The film is regarded as one of the best science fiction films and one of the greatest 80’s movie.
Plot
The plot of “Back to the Future” follows the adventures of young Marty McFly, a teenager of the 80s who is accidentally transported back in time 30 years to 1955, via a time machine built by his eccentric friend, Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown.
Once in the past, Marty meets his teenage parents and threatens to alter the course of events that lead them to meet and marry. Also, Marty learns that Doc Brown from 1955 hasn’t invented the time machine yet and must find a way to do so so he can go back to the future.
Marty tries to avoid altering the future and having his parents meet and fall in love, but encounters a number of obstacles along the way. Meanwhile, he must also find a way to make the time machine work and get back home.
The plot unfolds through a series of hilarious and unpredictable events, with Marty trying to adjust to life in the 1950s and avoid attracting the attention of people from the past.
Movie Characters
Here are the main characters of the film “Back to the Future”:
Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, is the protagonist of the film. He is a teenager from the 80s who is transported back in time 30 years to 1955. Marty tries to avoid altering the course of events and returning to his present.
Doctor Emmett “Doc” Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, is the inventor of the time machine and Marty’s mentor. Doc is a quirky and fun character who helps Marty navigate the past and present.
Lorraine Baines-McFly, played by Lea Thompson, is Marty’s teenage mother in 1955. Lorraine develops a crush on Marty before discovering he is her son from the future.
George McFly, played by Crispin Glover, is Marty’s teenage father in 1955. George is a shy and awkward boy who is helped by Marty to win Lorraine’s heart.
Biff Tannen, played by Thomas F. Wilson, is the bully who torments George in 1955. Biff becomes an enemy of Marty when he tries to stop him from returning to the future.
There are other minor characters as well, such as Marty’s parents in the present, the local band musicians, and other people Marty meets in the past.
Production
“Back to the Future” was produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, with Bob Gale serving as co-producer and co-writer along with Robert Zemeckis, who also directed the film.
The production of the film was quite complex due to its central theme, the time machine, and the fact that much of the story takes place in two different eras. The DeLorean DMC-12, the time machine used in the film, has been modified with a futuristic aesthetic and with some equipment to create the necessary special effects.
The soundtrack was composed by Alan Silvestri, who created one of the most iconic and recognizable film scores in the history of cinema.
The film was shot primarily in and around the city of Los Angeles, with some scenes shot in the city of Burbank and the city of Whittier, California. The film’s production was quite expensive for the time, with an estimated budget of around $19 million.
Despite the difficulties encountered during production, the film became a major box office and critical success, and launched one of the most iconic film trilogies of all time.
Distribution and Reception
“Back to the Future” was released in US cinemas on July 3, 1985 and immediately became a great success with audiences and critics. The film grossed over $380 million worldwide, making it one of the year’s biggest box office hits and one of the most successful films of the 1980s.
Critics praised the film for its innovative storyline, its combination of comedy and adventure, its soundtrack and special effects. “Back to the Future” was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning one for Best Sound Editing.
The film became a cinematic classic and inspired a series of sequels, an animated series, video games and merchandise. The ‘Back to the Future’ trilogy is considered one of the greatest cinematic franchises of all time and has left a lasting mark on popular culture.
Style
“Back to the Future” is a film that combines elements of comedy, adventure and science fiction, offering a unique blend of fun, suspense and speculation on the theme of time travel.
The film uses a complex and articulated plot that takes place in two different eras, 1955 and 1985, and focuses on the character of Marty McFly, a teenager from the 80s who is transported back in time 30 years and must to keep the course of events intact to avoid altering his present.
The film uses a number of innovative special effects, including the DeLorean time machine, which becomes an icon of cinema. Additionally, the film employs a soundtrack that blends seamlessly with the on-screen action, creating a multi-sensory experience for the viewer.
The style of the film is characterized by a light and somewhat campy humor, which makes it entertaining and accessible to a wide audience. However, the film also deals with serious themes, such as family, identity and the possibility of changing one’s destiny, which make it deep and reflective.
Overall, “Back to the Future” is a film that combines a complex plot, innovative special effects, a memorable soundtrack and a light but thoughtful style, creating a timeless cinematic experience that has captivated audiences around the world.
Director
The director of “Back to the Future” is Robert Zemeckis. Born in 1951 in Chicago, Zemeckis made his name in the 1980s as one of Hollywood’s most innovative and original directors.
Prior to directing “Back to the Future,” Zemeckis directed a string of successful films, including “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” (1988), “Forrest Gump” (1994) and “Cast Away” (2000), which brought him worldwide fame and recognition.
Zemeckis has worked with co-writer Bob Gale on several projects, including “Back to the Future” and its two sequels. The pair developed a unique creative synergy that spawned some of Hollywood’s greatest films of the 80s and 90s.
Zemeckis is known for his innovative use of special effects and cutting-edge technologies, such as motion capture, which he has used in films such as ‘A Christmas Carol’ (2009) and ‘The Polar Express’ (2004). His versatility as a director has allowed him to span different genres, from drama to comedy to science fiction.
Zemeckis has been nominated for several Academy Awards throughout his career, winning three statuettes, two for “Forrest Gump” and one for “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”. His influence on popular culture and the history of cinema has been enormous, and his innovative and original style has inspired entire generations of filmmakers.
