Customer Reviews
Future is in your hands 
2008-05-31
This a all time favourite movie of mine. The story across the 3 DVD is nicely knitted together wanting one to have a back to the future movie marathon. The direction, cast and everything about this movies is great! I would highly recommend science fiction lovers to watch this movie and also to acquire a DVD set.
Hello, hello, anyone home? Think McFly, think... 2008-05-30
"Back to the Future" has gotta be the very best movie of the 80's. For anyone under 30, you know that the 1980's is the new 1940's. This is the golden age of cinema for the MTV Generation. And that just makes "Back to the Future" so much more special because even with tons of other great feature films, it still stands out.
The movie has so many great lines and catchphrases, such as, "Hello, hello, anyone home? Think McFly, think." I can not so fondly remember how my teenage uncles used to imitate Biff and knock on mine and my brother's head just like Biff did to George. Another great line, "history's gonna change."
I also love the entire cast. From beginning to end the cast is totally perfect. My favorite of course is Michael J. Fox as Marty. He was the perfect actor to play this role because he was so cute and cool and brave. (BTW, can you believe they were originally gonna use Eric Stoltz! Can you say: MISCAST!!) I also love Crispin Glover (Geroge McFly, although in the 2nd one he was played by Jeffrey Weissman) who was so completely funny. Christopher Lloyd as the Doc was perfect. He totally reminded me of his character from "Taxi." Rounding out the cast is Lea Thompson (Lorraine, Marty's mom) and Thomas F. Wilson (as the unforgettable Biff Tannen.) I also like both of the Jennifers (Claudia Wells was in the first one) (Elisabeth Shue was in the second 2 movies.) My favorite Jennifer was Claudia Wells but she refused to do the sequels because of "personal issues." Maybe she wanted more money like Crispin Glover? Oh and I also really liked Wendie Jo Sperber (may she rest in peace) (who played Marty's sister, Linda.) I especially liked how Linda took the curlers out of her hair at the dining room table, that's so 80's!!
Instead of going on about the storylines and plots for each of these movies (that the entire world has seen) I thought it would be more fun to describe some of the old and otherwise archaic technologies, culture and styles that were displayed in the "future" Hill Valley of 2015. It made the movie appear somewhat dated, but that's why it's an entertaining 80's film.
Payphones - There was a clear shot of one during the daytime scene when Marty left the cafe. I can't remember the last time I've even seen a payphone, let alone used one (maybe 10 years?) Last year the country's biggest phone company announced that because of the advent of cell phones they were getting out of the payphone business.
Picture Frames - There was a ton of these all over the McFly's end table. Although not obsolete yet, most agree that within the next few years we will begin to see less and less of these because digital frames will be much easier to access.
Bulletin Flyers - These were displayed outside of the cafe, near the dumpster. This is something else that I can't remember seeing for years and years. Probably because of electronic networks like Craigslist.
Sales Staff that "wait on" customers - The saleslady in the "antique" store was totally waiting on Marty and trying to get him to buy something. The small "mom & pop" stores of yesterday are nearly totally gone. And those huge department stores that replaced them do not have the time, energy or patience to wait on anyone.
Faxes - Marty's home had fax machines everywhere (even inside the closet!) First of all, did you see how antiquated the print on the faxes looked? So 1985. For the home consumers, faxes and telexes are about as useful as Morse code. And for businesses they will be a thing of the past within the next 5 to 10 years for obvious reasons.
Mailboxes - There was one in the "center" of Hill Valley (next to the USA Today newspaper dispenser.) With electronic billing, text messages and cell phones we are mailing less and less. "Snail mail" will never completely evaporate, but these old-fashioned-looking mailboxes are becoming a thing of the past.
Green Screen Door - This was the door that old Biff scampered out of before he got in the taxi to follow Doc and Marty. You'd think that in 2015 they would have nicer looking doors? This one looks like something straight out of the 1950's.
Oversized Earnings - The saleslady in the "antique" store was wearing this godawful pair of yellow earrings that are roughly the size of a Jr. cheeseburger from Wendy's. And the old Jennifer also had on a pair of these large things on her ears. Ear-jewelry like this has not been in style since "The Golden Girls" were on TV.
Wallpaper - The McFly's home was covered in this. This is something else that is totally out of style. Last year when I was helping a friend redo her kitchen we went to a popular home improvement store to get some border and were told that they stopped manufacturing this years ago.
...The entire "Back to the Future Trilogy" is beyond perfect. And, the music is so fast and funny. Huey Lewis & The News. My goodness, talk about bringing back the dead. The Trilogy is not too much and not too little. You know how some movies can drag on and on and on (like this review?) that's not the case here. Michael J. Fox was a brand-new man in each of these movies. Of course the first one is the very best. But I enjoyed "Back to the Future Part II" immensely (and Part III, as wel.) As any child of the 80's can attest to, this movie was such a hugely anticipated event. "Back to the Future Part II" was almost like a religious experience because no one could live without it. Everyone has to see all 3 of these movies. Even if the "Back to the Future Trilogy" had Skippy, Elyse, Mallory & Tina Yothers it still couldn't be more 80's!
"Roads? Where We're Going, We Don't Need Roads!" 2008-05-28
Just recently my six year old came to me with an urgent problem. He just had to see a movie "with time travel in it!" I'm sure there are lots of sci-fi/fantasy films that would fit the bill, but the first thing to pop into my mind were the iconic '80s "Back to the Future" series of films.
Years ago, I had a ball watching this entertaining yet, convoluted Sci-Fi trilogy. The films feature high schooler/amateur musician, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and his friend & employer, scientist, Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown (Christopher Lloyd) as they go back and forth (in a Delorean sports car/time machine) between the past (1955/1885), present (1985) and future (2015). They are trying to to fix the "time continuum" that has been mucked up, when Marty accidentally (in Part I) keeps his parents (Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson) from meeting and falling and love in 1955. Marty must get them back together or else he and his family will cease to exist! From there a whole series of time vexing conundrums are set to happen with ripple effects in both the distant future (Part II) and the long ago past of the 'Wild West (Part III).
Well, I showed these three films to my six year old and not only did he enjoy them, but he became fanatical about them! Like, most kids, once he saw the series, he wanted to re-watch it over and over again. Now, in most cases, watching the same thing a few zillion times might drive the average parent nuts. But not in this case. It seems like no matter how many times you watch these three films, you will discover something new, that you hadn't realized or connected before. Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale's scripts work brilliantly together. They remind me of a 'Rubik's Cube' or one of those old M. C. Escher illustrations that seems to go on into infinity. Eventually if you watch these films enough times, it becomes clear there are plotlines, details, dialogue and themes, that keep re-occurring in patterns over and over again between characters and generations, no matter what the year is. These three films are just the ultimate in the ideal of movie sequels. Each film really does depend on the other to tell a truely complete story.
Besides the brilliant scripts the films also offer wonderful acting performances (especially Fox, Lloyd and Thomas S. Wilson as various bullys in the Tannen family tree), good special effects (which still pretty much hold up for modern day, CGI savey viewers) and a majestic, memorable score, which will stick in your head for days. The three films have now been put together in a three DVD box set called "Back to the Future: The Complete Trilogy". This includes over ten hours of 'extras' including audio commentaries, documentaries, deleted scenes, outtakes ETC.
These films will both overwork your brain and excite your imagination! Highly recommended!
"Great Scott!" 2008-05-26
None of the stream of adventure comedies to come out of the 1980s ever topped 1985's 'Back to the Future', a wonderfully executed family sci-fi masterpiece that went on to spawn two sequels.
Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd have never been better than in this highly original take on the sci-fi world's fascination with time travel. Unlikely best friends Marty McFly (Fox) and Doc Emmett Brown (Lloyd), a school-skipping teenager and crackpot inventor, find themselves whisked back to 1955 in a time machine stylishly created in the shape of a DeLorean. Things look bad for Marty when he accidentally gets in the way of his then-teenage parents falling in love with each other, and so begins a race to get the pair of them together before his own existence becomes doomed.
Amid the marvellous observations of how a teen would react to seeing his parents at his own age, there are plenty of running gags about how much Marty's home town - the fictional Hill Valley - has changed over the past 30 years. But it is the ever-reliable Lloyd who steals the show with his passionate performance as the crazy yet instantly lovable Doc Brown, complete with crazy hair and "Great Scott!" catchphrase. Thomas F. Wilson is also on top form as thick-as-mince school bully Biff Tannen.
Such is the brilliance of Robert Zemickis' direction and writing that 'Back to the Future' manages to stay up-beat without becoming sickly and, even more impressively, to deal with the issue of Marty's mother developing "the hots" for him without ever becoming uncomfortable.
Currently, it seems that I have no time to review the sequels. But, if you liked the first, they are very good films and I also recommend them. Both sequels get 4 stars from me.
Back to the Future - The Complete Trilogy (Widescreen Edition) 2008-05-19
Back to the Future, what more can you say? Michael J fox and Christopher Lloyd are the dynamic duo in this classic Trilogy. it's one, no three that you will watch over and over again. I loved the first, second, and third. What Back to the Future fan wouldn't want all three?
Back to the Future - The Complete Trilogy (Widescreen Edition)
My husbands favorite pictures 2008-07-14
my kids and i gave this pictures to my husband as gift, you cant imagine his face when he received it. is one of his favorite movies ever
Drowning in nostalgia 2008-06-25
I was 12 years old when the first "BTF" came out and I can remember being so fascinated! All three of the movies are great, clean entertainment that challenges young minds to really understand the impact of their existence at any random moment in time. 23 years later, I'm even more fascinated today to watch my son enjoy these movies and ask a lot of those "proverbial" questions. What a great concept and so well done by one of the most incredible geniouses (sp? Sorry, Mr. Spielberg!) of our time. Was worth MORE than the money spent:)
Awesome Set 2008-06-23
this set contains three of michael j. foxx's & Christopher Lloyd's greates movies they made. the three back to the future movies are entertaining beyond anything. they all are great movies. they all are must sees.
Great Trilogy and NOTHING wrong with it! 2008-06-17
The Back to the Future trilogy is GREAT! I bought it a year ago and it is outstanding. I don't see how other reviewers could criticize this trilogy because there is NOTHING wrong with mine. The "widescreen" isn't off the page or anything. The trilogy is just like any other. As for the actual movies, they're amazing. Back to the Future is one of my favorite movies. (especially when I like the idea of time travel) The delorean is what really brings out all the movies. As for others, I definately recommend this to you!
Good movies, but not mandatory viewing. 
2008-06-13
A decent way to kill a few hours.
The back to the future movies have not aged well.
Corny, the usual 80's nonsense.
Their OK, if you've never seen them before.
I'd say worth the ocassional rental.
Will these movies be remembered a hundred years from now?
The car might be, but the movies? Doubt it.
Good movies for kids.
