Must See Movies #1 - Back to the Future

Must See Movies #1 - Back to the Future

From it's opening shots to it's nail biting conclusion, Back to the Future is a non-stop thrill ride for all ages. Loveable slacker Marty McFly (played by Michael J Fox) befriends the mad scientist Doctor Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and his dog Einstein. Seeing "Doc" Brown is missing from his house which doubles as his lab, Marty finds Doc at the local Twin Pines Mall, with his latest creation. A DeLorean car. However this is not just any DeLorean - this one is a time machine! Suddenly, Marty and Doc are attacked by terrorists and Marty jumps in the time machine, going to the first time he can put into the machine - 1955.

Going back in time creates its own set of problems. Meeting his parents sets off a time paradox that wipes Marty and his siblings from existence! Fixing this provides the main narrative thrust of the movie. Along the way Marty impersonates a spaceman and creates rock and roll, has his mother fall in love with him and makes his parents fall in love.

Production design is fantastic, really capturing the spirit of both 1985 and 1955, with interesting continuity elements between the two which lets the movie hold up to repeat viewings. Seeing parallels between the two times is a joy, and is explored even more in the films sequels. Hill Valley is lovingly recreated in both time periods, with characters recurring and going through reverse story arcs as we see them in the future before seeing them in their previous lives.

The real star of the movie however is the music. Composed by Alan Silvestri, with additional music from Huey Lewis and the News. Ranging from atmospheric tinkling, through rousing orchestral crescendos, punctuated by feel good 80s rock.

Writers Robert Zemekis and Bob Gale had the idea for the movie when flicking through their parent's high school yearbook, asking the question "if I met my parent's at high school, would I be their friend?". This sparked their minds and they got to writing the script, covering a wall in post-it notes to keep track of all the different time paradoxes and story lines.

Back to the Future is a truely brilliant movie, with fantastic direction, an incredible cast, and an exhilarating soundtrack. It's a must see movie for the entire family.

What do you think of the movie? What's your must see movie? Give me your suggestions so I can write about them!