Back to the Future Part II **** (1989, Michael J Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson) – Classic Movie Review 1934

Director Robert Zemeckis and the original cast return in 1989 for a neat sequel to the 1985 blockbuster. This time Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) and Doc Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) jump into their DeLorean time travel car and visit 2015 to save Marty’s kids from terrible trouble. ‘It’s your kids, Marty,’ cries the Doc, ‘something’s got to be done about your kids!’ And then Marty must repeat his visit to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to 1985 without interfering with his first trip.

Conceived as the central part of a trilogy, Part II is not intended to work as a stand-alone movie, as it relies heavily on knowledge of the original movie, and annoyingly dispenses with an actual ending, deciding instead to show clips from the upcoming Back to the Future III (1990).

However, Fox (now 28 and still looking the perennial teenage) and especially Lloyd as his buddy, the crazy scientist Doc Brown, are again exceptionally good value. Bob Gale’s screenplay is fast, furious and funny, and maybe a shade more adult than Part I. There’s a handsome, polished production, with Dean Cundey’s gleaming cinematography, Rick Carter and Margie Stone McShirley’s eye-catching set designs, and stupendous visual effects. And, above all, there’s an extremely jovial atmosphere filled with fun and happiness.

Lea Thompson, Thomas F Wilson, Harry Waters Jnr, Charles Fleischer, Joe Flaherty, Flea, Elisabeth Shue, James Tolkan, Jeffrey Weissman, Casey Siemaszko, Billy Zane (as Match) and J J Cohen are also in the cast.

The songs include Beat It, I Can’t Drive 55, Papa Loves Mambo and Mr Sandman.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1934

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