Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Back to the Future Part II (1989)

HBO On Demand, Seattle, WA

April 19, 2008

This was not the first time I watched this movie.

*** ½ / ****

by Scott Muoio

At once beloved, revered, analyzed to death, and without an ounce of critic pandering Back to the Future was to 1980s adolescents as Citizen Kane is to classic movie cinefiles; that is, a film which is considered a masterwork of substance, style, and ingenuity. And like Kane’s “rosebud” ending was to 1930s filmmaking, Back to the Future’s ominous “To be continued” closing message was one of the great movie mysteries of the 1980s. So what was that “To be continued” all about, we wondered, as we shouted “crazy drunk driver” and dreamed of one day visiting the Twin Pines Mall ourselves after yet another VHS viewing? And it wasn’t until 1989 that we finally received the answer to that burning question in the form of a terrifically entertaining screwball sequel aptly titled, Back to the Future Part II.

Part II is everything a fan of the original could hope for in a sequel. It is funny, witty, intelligent, gives insight into the previous film’s characters and stories, provides cameos, running jokes, thrills, clever winks and nudges, and never compromises the integrity of its predecessor even as it makes a jolly mess of its plot. Sure, it has flaws (most notably, it can’t stand on its own and it’s not really necessary), but as far as enhancing the movie that inspired it by pouring on the gusto and insanity Back to the Future Part II is excellent viewing, indeed.

The plot in Part II picks up exactly where Back to the Future left off. Returning to his time period in 1985, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) discovers that through his fate altering time travels to 1955, his family’s life, as well as his own, has changed for the better. His Dad (Crispin Glover) is no longer a wimp, his Mom (Lea Thompson) no longer jaded, and the depressed existence they shared revitalized by his father’s upending a high school bully (Thomas Wilson) in 1955 altering the future forever. Unfortunately, before Marty can kiss his girlfriend, Jennifer (Elizabeth Shue) and enjoy the new future he has created, friend and fellow time traveler Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) arrives from the future in his time traveling AMC De Lorean to shake things up. Doc’s manic plan: to travel ahead with Marty to 2015, re-orchestrate the horrible fate that awaits Marty’s loved ones, and jump back to 1985 without disturbing any other piece of history, past, present, or future. If only changing the future was that easy.

Returning for the sequel are all the major players from Back to the Future sans Glover, whose character continues to have a big part nonetheless. Glover’s George is this time played by Jeffrey Weissman disguised in old man make-up and shown from the back, upside down, and interspersed with left over footage from the original. It’s an amazing piece of cleverness that is par for the course with this winning film.

The main players from the original pop up as their old selves, young selves, and even a few other family members. A slew of familiar minor characters and places also return in hilariously delicious fashion. And when these engaging characters are unleashed on a 2015 that is awesomely depicted with clever innovations, recurring themes, and intelligent nods to the past it is simply a joy ride that shouldn’t be missed. But if flash and silliness is all one expects from Part II, there is much more to it than mere eye candy wackiness. The dialogue in Part II is as well-constructed as it is exasperating, with characters explaining, or more accurately, trying to explain potential paradoxes, certain scenarios, and past predicaments in charming, insightful, uproarious, and perfectly rich ways keeping us in the loop of multiple time lines while making sense and adding further confusion and mad-capped fun to the ever increasing mess and screwy situations they must constantly battle. It isn’t easy making a movie that gets this haywire, but between Bob Gale’s nimble writing, Robert Zemeckis’ loose yet precise direction, and a team of talented actors that seem to have unlimited energy and talent all involved hit the perfect note pulling it of in the most entertaining of fashions.

No matter what past or future you might find yourself, Back to the Future Part II is a very funny thrill ride sequel sure to please those who loved the original. If you missed Back to the Future you will definitely want to start with that spectacular film, but Part II will surely be a tasty after dinner dessert as pleasing as the best brownie ice cream supreme with a cherry on top.