Critic Reviews
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Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
The picture packs a wonderful wallop.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Performances by the earnest Fox, the lunatic Lloyd, the deceptively passionate Lea Thompson, and, particularly, the bumbling-to-confident Glover, who runs away with the picture, merrily keep the ship sailing.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Director Robert Zemeckis confronts the oedipal heart of the time-travel genre with this zestfully tasteless 1985 tale about a teenager (Michael J. Fox) who is projected back to 1955 and then must arrange the romance of his parents.
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, Time Out
The movie has all the benign good nature of a Frank Capra.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
Mr. Zemeckis is able both to keep the story moving and to keep it from going too far. He handles Back to the Future with the kind of inventiveness that indicates he will be spinning funny, whimsical tall tales for a long time to come.
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John Hartl, Film.com
So busy being clever that it trips over its own ingenuity.
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Simon Reynolds, Digital Spy
It was, is and always will be a true Hollywood classic.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The most commercially popular of 1985.
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Shaun Munro, What Culture
Undeniably one of the greatest films of the 1980s and indeed, of all time, Back to the Future has endured so well because it walks that fine tightrope of managing to appeal to just about everyone...
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Elliot Panek, Common Sense Media
'80s time-travel favorite has laughs, romance, action.
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James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
an undeniably fun film, one whose clever plotting, memorable characters, and deft balance of both wistful nostalgia and celebration of the here and now deserves comparisons to The Wizard of Oz
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R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
Back to the Future is one of the best popcorn movies ever made. It's ingenuity, time-traveling twist ups and wonderfully vibrant characters resonate in ways few films ever achieve.
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Rubin Safaya, Cinemalogue.com
It's a timeless joke that never gets old: One day you will grow up to be your parents and they'll have the last laugh. The innovation here was in telling the joke backwards.
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Eric Kohn, indieWIRE
"Future" fandom resonates in the public imagination because it marries innocence with high-concept fun.
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Derek Malcolm, This is London
A little more sophistication would have been no bad thing -- but a good script keeps it zipping along.
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David Gritten, Daily Telegraph
Delightful and sophisticated to a degree beyond the dreams of today's movies in similar vein.
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Matt Glasby, Total Film
Zemeckis' popcorn classic combines watertight scripting with broad but brilliant performances, all held together by Fox's stumbling charm.
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Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
The counter-Freudian drama is handled with easy wit and flair, like a Shakespearian disguise comedy, and it made a whopping star of Fox.
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John Ferguson, Radio Times
This irresistible combination of dazzling effects and sly comedy propelled Michael J Fox to stardom and Robert Zemeckis to the front rank of Hollywood directors.
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Robbie Collin, News of the World
This film is WASTED on kids.
Read all 24 critic reviews
Featured Audience Ratings
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Just watched this for the first time in over a decade. This time in remastered high def picture and sound. My daughter and I loved it. She even cheered when Marty made the trip back home!
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A highly entertaining time-travel film that perfectly balances comedy and drama. The characters are memorable and the story is suspenseful and hilarious. Also, great score by Alan Silvestri.
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There's not enough words in the dictionary to truly justify this movie's greatness. It's like asking what Einstein is to science or Leonardo Da Vinci is to art. No matter how well you try to summarize, you're not gonna be able to encompass every facet of their… More
There's not enough words in the dictionary to truly justify this movie's greatness. It's like asking what Einstein is to science or Leonardo Da Vinci is to art. No matter how well you try to summarize, you're not gonna be able to encompass every facet of their brilliance.
The same thing goes for this impeccable masterpiece, which to this day (and probably until the day I depart from this world), ranks as the best sci-fi comedy I've ever seen. My love for it, after what I reckon to be about 12-15 viewings, is still as immense as to be called immeasurable. I know it may sound like I'm exaggerating, but that's how much it means to me.
Watching it for the first time, was one of the great cinematic highlights of my childhood, and also a significant contributor in what got me interested in movies in the first place. So to me, this is so much more than just two hours of pristine entertainment; it's one of the profounding sparks that ignited my imagination and innermost creativity (a gift for which I'll be forever grateful).
Director Robert Zemeckis, along with dream-team producers Spielberg-Kennedy-Marshall, has truly captured lightning in a bottle here. An amazing, stellar and captivating ride altogether, that ironically enough, remains a timeless piece of pure Hollywood magic.
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Back to the Future is a hilarious, imaginative, and unforgettable time-travel adventure. It's well-acted, well directed and edited, and it's spirit is immense. The science is actually thoroughly explained so it makes perfect sense which makes it great fun for audiences of… More
Back to the Future is a hilarious, imaginative, and unforgettable time-travel adventure. It's well-acted, well directed and edited, and it's spirit is immense. The science is actually thoroughly explained so it makes perfect sense which makes it great fun for audiences of all ages. Back to the Future will keep people coming back again and again. The only reason I didn't give it perfect is because it does get a little hokey and cheesy in places. But they are minor details....
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First movie of the Back to the Future triology, the original is always the best. Doc Brown makes a time machine out of a Deloran car. Marty gets sent back in time by accident to when his parents first met. Full of interesting characters. Imagine seeing your parents as they were young… More
First movie of the Back to the Future triology, the original is always the best. Doc Brown makes a time machine out of a Deloran car. Marty gets sent back in time by accident to when his parents first met. Full of interesting characters. Imagine seeing your parents as they were young and not how they recall things. He gets caught up with his mum, dad, Doc and the class bully Biff. Can Marty make it back in time before his whole existence is eliminated?
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One of the few films from my childhood that hold up as a classic when I rewatch them today. Bob Zemeckis injected the perfect amount of Frank Capra-esque goodhearted spirit into this masterpiece.
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Dr. Emmett Brown: If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious shit.
"Mart McFly just broke the time barrier. Now he has one week to fix it."
Back to the Future is one of the quintessential films of… More
Dr. Emmett Brown: If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious shit.
"Mart McFly just broke the time barrier. Now he has one week to fix it."
Back to the Future is one of the quintessential films of the 80's. Not only is it the greatest time travel movie ever, but it is also one of the most fun movies ever. There is so much in the movie to like. From the quirky Doc Brown to the dance where Marty plays "Johnny B. Goode." The movie is the very definition of classic. It works as an action/adventure, a sci-fi and a comedy, all with extreme precision. This is one of those movies that you can watch over and over again, and never grow tired of it.
A crackpot scientist invents a time machine out of a car. When he is showing it off to Marty, a band of terrorists kill him because Doc ripped them off to get the plutonium. Marty then goes back in time to 1955 where he runs into his parents and seeks the help of a younger Doc Brown. Now Marty must make sure his parents get together and he must still manage to make it... Back to the Future.
The film features a pretty good 80's cast, with Michael J. Fox in the lead role. My favorite performance of the movie comes from Crispin Glover as George McFly. Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown is also great. Robert Zemeckis really came up with something amazing with the story. If you don't have fun while watching this movie, more than likely there is something wrong with you.
The movie is a pure extravaganza of all the great things that went into a good 80's movie. It has the soundtrack, the story and feel that could only come from the 80's. This is the best film in the trilogy and I really like all three. I would have hated to have been alive when the first movie came out because it would have been hard to wait those 4 years for the second film. Thank God for television, there isn't a week where you don't see these movies on.
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The best one out of the whole trilogy. The DeLorean, Marty's mom being in love with Marty & Marty's sucessful attempt of putting his parents back together with Doc's help. Another one of my all-time favorite movies! :) It's an absolute dream! :) :) :) :) :) :)
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A very witty and impressively done film which I expected to be more goofy and camp then quotable and funny. What makes Back to the Future what it is though is the stellar and charismatic performances by its hilarious lead cast.
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(new review coming)
I will admit it's a very entertaining movie, and has surprisingly good effects for an '80s film, but a giant portion of the make-up and sidesteam acting was enough to annoy me. i still think it's a great and fun movie to watch
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Along with "Stand By Me", this was my favorite movie when I was a kid. In fact, if I remember correctly, it might have been the first movie my family owned on VHS. All sentimentality aside, this movie is still as charming today as it was in the 80's. The characters… More
Along with "Stand By Me", this was my favorite movie when I was a kid. In fact, if I remember correctly, it might have been the first movie my family owned on VHS. All sentimentality aside, this movie is still as charming today as it was in the 80's. The characters are great and the storytelling is very cohesive considering it's ambitious scope. I don't think I really have to recommend this movie, you've already seen it, and I'm sure you enjoyed it. If there's one flaw to point out, it would be the overexposure of Huey Lewis music. Of course, any Huey Lewis is too much Huey Lewis. Just saying.
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BACK TO THE FUTURE, despite the cheesy '80s setback, is a pretty good work of art.
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Hadn't watched any of the BTTF's until a couple of months ago. Glad I found the hidden treasure, especially with this one in particular. It's a classic for a reason, and will never get old to me.
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When an eccentric inventor makes a time machine out of a DeLorean, a high school kid is accidentally sent back to the year 1955 where his presence has unexpected consequences on the future. The film that made both Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd stars, Back To The Future is a… More
When an eccentric inventor makes a time machine out of a DeLorean, a high school kid is accidentally sent back to the year 1955 where his presence has unexpected consequences on the future. The film that made both Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd stars, Back To The Future is a perfect blend of action and comedy that takes the old sci-fi chestnut of the time paradox and runs with it making for an inventive and hugely enjoyable family friendly romp. It has loads of amusing pop culture references and pokes fun at society's obsession with gadgets (it's odd to think that 1985 is nearly as far back now as 1955 was then) and has a great sense of nostalgia for days gone by. Fox makes the most of his boyish charm and Lloyd was pretty much made for the part of the mad scientist and the whole tone is spot on. It's one of those films I grew up on and therefore never tire of; a classic wish fulfilment fantasy that was often copied but never bettered.
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Classic Good Hollywood. Nominated in 4 categories won for best sound effects. Incredible soundtrack and story. Imagine your mom trying to kiss you!...jeez!... But putting the awkward situation aside, it's an incredible movie, well structured, funny as hell and original story.… More
Classic Good Hollywood. Nominated in 4 categories won for best sound effects. Incredible soundtrack and story. Imagine your mom trying to kiss you!...jeez!... But putting the awkward situation aside, it's an incredible movie, well structured, funny as hell and original story. Back in the 80's featuring a dream car (now a classic) DeLorean. Zemeckis is a great director and this is probably one of his first movies and boy! What a way to start.
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i dont like these movies very much i have no idea why but i always feel like their missing something and i just find it hard getting engrossed in these movies and watching them.
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Robert Zemeckis masterpiece Back To The Future is one monumental film. Both in special effects, and in terms of delivering a solid, original story. The film surrounds a mad scientist by the name of Doctor Emmett Brown and a teenager by the name of Marty McFly. Doc Brown invents a time… More
Robert Zemeckis masterpiece Back To The Future is one monumental film. Both in special effects, and in terms of delivering a solid, original story. The film surrounds a mad scientist by the name of Doctor Emmett Brown and a teenager by the name of Marty McFly. Doc Brown invents a time machine out of DMC Delorean. After a Lybian terroristtack on Doc Brown, Mart escapes in the Delorean back to the year 1955. What follows is a series of mishaps that can reshape the future in a very bad way for Marty. Back To The Future is a terrific film that is pure fun for everyone of all ages. A well produced and directed film, Back To The Future has terrific characters, comedy elements an good special effects. It's no wonder why this film is a classic, sure the film broke ground in special effects; but on the other hand, it's a film with a solid story and a great cast. Back To The Future can be easily reviewed with the simple line as this film is a wonderful piece of well crafted cinema thats highly imaginative with many comical bits. The reason the film works well is that everything is well conceived. The story is solid, the cast is great and Robert Zemeckis' directing is top notch. Back To The Future is a film that stimulates the mind and you'll be highly entertained for a magical time travelling 2 hours journey. It's one journey you're not likely going to forget. Simply a flawless well made film. One of favorites for sure.
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One of my favorite films ever, this is a work of genius. Fox is great, but Lloyd steals the show, and the plot is so interesting. What a great film.
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Marty McFly is a regular, slick teen from the year 1985 who is the assistant of bumbling scientist, Emmet Brown. When Doc Brown asks Marty to test out his new DeLorean time machine that is run on a strange element known as Plutonium. After something awry happens with the DeLorean,… More
Marty McFly is a regular, slick teen from the year 1985 who is the assistant of bumbling scientist, Emmet Brown. When Doc Brown asks Marty to test out his new DeLorean time machine that is run on a strange element known as Plutonium. After something awry happens with the DeLorean, Marty is sent thirty years into the past to the year 1955 where he falls in love with his mother's younger self. Marty's existence is now in danger and must make his parent fall in love again and he will <a>fight until he sees the sunlight</a>.
"Back to the Future" is an instant classic but I don't think that its 100% material. But the film has some of the most smart and witty scripting I have seen in a comedy film. The characters are so well portrayed by wonderful acting! Christopher Lloyd is definetly what makes up this movie for me! Michael J. Fox, Crispin Glover, the pretty Lea Thompson, and everyone else are great!
"Back to the Future" is a very funny film but actually needs focus when you watch it. The story can get a bit confusing. Great film that you should see if you haven't! Go ahead and shoot me but I enjoy the sequels more.
"What's a rerun?"
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I love this movie so much, I've watched it a billion times! If you haven't seen it please go rent it right away! This is THE movie of the 80s. It's got it all, comedy, sci-fi, action, suspense, adventure, and it's fun for the whole family too.
Read all 20 featured audience ratings
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