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Back to the Future - The Complete Trilogy (Widescreen Edition) :: 0783269935
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| Filmmaker Robert Zemeckis topped his breakaway hit Romancing the Stone with Back to the Future, a joyous comedy with a dazzling hook: what would it be like to meet your parents in their youth? Billed as a special-effects comedy, the imaginative film (the top box-office smash of 1985) has staying power because of the heart behind Zemeckis and Bob Gale's script. High schooler Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox, during the height of his TV success) is catapulted back to the '50s where he sees his parents in their teens, and accidentally changes the history of how Mom and Dad met. Filled with the humorous ideology of the '50s, filtered through the knowledge of the '80s (actor Ronald Reagan is president, ha!), the film comes off as a Twilight Zone episode written by Preston Sturges. Filled with memorable effects and two wonderfully off-key, perfectly cast performances: Christopher Lloyd as the crazy scientist who builds the time machine (a DeLorean luxury car) and Crispin Glover as Marty's geeky dad. --Doug Thomas Critics and audiences didn't seem too happy with Back to the Future, Part II, the inventive, perhaps too clever sequel. Director Zemeckis and cast bent over backwards to add layers of time-travel complication, and while it surely exercises the brain it isn't necessarily funny in the same way that its predecessor was. It's well worth a visit, though, just to appreciate the imagination that went into it, particularly in a finale that has Marty watching his own actions from the first film. --Tom Keogh Shot back-to-back with the second chapter in the trilogy, Back to the Future, Part III is less hectic than that film and has the same sweet spirit of the first, albeit in a whole new setting. This time, Marty ends up in the Old West of 1885, trying to prevent the death of mad scientist Christopher Lloyd at the hands of gunman Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson, who had a recurring role as the bully Biff). Director Zemeckis successfully blends exciting special effects with the traditions of a Western and comes up with something original and fun. --Tom Keogh Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
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Author: Guest
If you were high school age and could go back in time to when your parents were high school age... would you like them? That basic concept eventually grew into the wildly entertaining BACK TO THE FUTURE TRILOGY. Director Robert Zemeckis (WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT) does an amazing job relaying a complicated, technical story without sacrificing heart, intelligence and humor.
Although the films are not all perfect, this set gets the full five star treatment for the loaded materials in addition to the gorgeous transfers. BE AWARE that Universal messed up on earlier printing. Avoid disc sets that have a "FIRST TIME ON DVD" sticker! They have framing problems on the second two discs.
In the first film (5 STARS) Precocious Marty McFly joins his inventor friend, wildly intelligent Doctor Emmett Brown in a bit of time travel. But what starts as a scientific experiment becomes a desperate rush to restore the already written past. The first film is itself a true classic, plenty of heart and plenty of humor.
In the Second film (3 STARS) Zemeckis takes a different approach. Both the follow-up films had doubled the production budget and it shows on the screen. The second film is filled with special effects and expensive settings: Not only do we return to 1955 Hill Valley Courtyard Square again, but also 2015, and an alternate universe 1985, each a total re-design of familiar landmarks in the film. Due to the complex nature of the time travel concept introduced for this film, we see similar alternate views of Marty's neighborhood and even an extra reproduction of the "Enchantment under the Sea Dance". The second film is definitely lacking in the heart department, but its time travel concepts are surely entertaining.
In the Last film (4 STARS) we learn that Doc Brown, now living in the old west, is soon to be killed, shot in the back by an early generation of Tannen. Marty heads back in time to rescue his inventor friend. But what starts as a simple rescue becomes a desperate rush to restore the already written past.
Michael J. Fox is quite a physical performer in these films. He runs, skateboards, rides a horse, jumps a train, and executes several pratfalls like a pro. His FAMILY TIES comedic timing is put to use as Marty, replacing an unexciting few days of shooting with Eric Stoltz in the role. Christopher Lloyd puts in the finest, funniest performance as he becomes Doc Brown, a role he would continue for all three films, an animated series, and even a theme park attraction introduction.
Several performers in the films portray their characters at different ages and under different circumstances. Lea Thompson (CAROLINE IN THE CITY) is Lorraine Baines at 17, Lorraine Baines McFly, slight alcoholic at 47, Lorraine Baines McFly, hip, awesome mom also at 47, and Maggie McFly, wild west woman. Crispin Glover (RIVER'S EDGE) has a similar call sheet, although his performance as the young George Mcfly is borderline genius and creepy and is only in the first film. Thomas Wilson plays various villains, all part of the Tannen family tree. He puts in his best performance in the third film as the earliest of Tannens.
To be nit-picky, some of the make-up work is the biggest detraction of the films, or possibly the performers work while in that make-up. It is a constant reminder that there are actors on screen. But in such a well-oiled time machine, it doesn't weigh on the success.
Time Travel is a staple of science fiction, and Back to the Future fits the bill, however, these films are not special effects machines. Fewer than 40 Special Effects shots pepper the entire first film, and there is nothing futuristic about 1950s Hill Valley. Rather, this is a science fiction story that works off of character and emotion. The second film doubled the budget and the special effects also blossom, but the third film again tones them down.
One unappreciated high point of the film are the musical scores by Alan Silvestri! They are rich orchestral tracks, successfully making a small film huge. His orchestral work is joined by some pop songs including two by Huey Lewis. Lewis, who has a cameo in the first film also created the Oscar nominated POWER OF LOVE. The third film features DOUBLEBACK, a song by ZZTop that the band performs during the festival.
Back to the Future is Hollywood at its best: sinking its teeth into a concept that floated around Hollywood for years with nobody able to grasp the potential. That is until it came to a guy named Steven Spielberg.
Great Scott!
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Author: Guest
For some reason I was only a casual fan of these movies until I purchased them on DVD. I thought they were decent films, with good special effects, an interesting plot, and some decent acting. Still the movies didn't rank high on my "favorites" list. However, that all changed once I purchased them on DVD. I watched the films back to back and the overall story became so much more enjoyable for me. I really appreciated the way that the filmmakers were able to, in 1989, recreate the original, 1985, sets. The actors had picked up where they left off without missing a beat. The special effects hardly seem dated. The various sets of the same town in different time periods were very well done. What impressed me the most though was the story. I'd forgotten just how many times the characters had jumped back and forth through time. The story is somewhat complex and keeping track of all the time paradoxes and the alternate futures requires the viewer to remain focused and to pay attention to everything that is going on.
While I think Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd made a great acting team I personally think that Thomas Wilson is the unsung hero of this trilogy. He is able to create the various members of the Tannen family and the various ages of the different Tannen characters so perfectly that they really do seem to be portrayed by more than one actor. It's a shame that Claudia Wells (Jennifer Parker) and Crispin Glover (George McFly) opted out of doing the two sequels. Still, their replacements did a fine job.
Lastly, what more could you want from a movie(s)? An original story, decent acting, humor, a touch of romance, plenty of suspense, and enough special effects and action are sure to keep any viewer glued to their television sets. The next time you're at home with an afternoon to kill try watching these films. You'll be surprised just how fast 6 hours can go slip past!
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Author: Guest
If you like fun and adventure, you will really like this movie! I rated it at four because of the language. Some of it is not good for younger children. But it's great to share with your friends!
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Author: Guest
If you like comedy, adventure, and a little bit of make belive; you will love this item. Michael J. Fox is great! If you haven't seen this, you have to and as soon as possible. These movies are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Guest
"Please call 888-703-0010 for detailed instructions on how to receive your Back to the Future DVD replacement."
They will mail you a pre-paid envelope to return your discs in.
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