Last Saturday, I went to the Astor Theatre with a group of people to watch the Back to the Future trilogy on the big screen for the first time. Now, the original BttF is my all-time favourite film and one I have seen at least two dozen times, so it’s something I would like to discuss in some form, even if it just turns into me spouting about how much I love this film (which it probably will).
I saw it the first time as a child at about the age of 5 and was instantly enchanted by its light-hearted tone, its expressive characters and most importantly the idea of time travel itself. I had never been introduced to some of the ideas behind the sci-fi elements of these films before, and it made me think of a much wider range of possibilities than I had ever done before. This movie fostered a love of the science-fiction genre, and of films in general. It might seem like I’m exaggerating when I say that this film is the reason that I became interested in studying media, but it really did have that big of an impact on me.
I wanted to talk about some of the elements of the film that I love about it, and why it’s a film I can revisit time and time again.
I truly believe that this is a film which rewards an audience that is engaged. Each shot is made up of very carefully planned elements, with every location brimming with life and small details which create a rich world that the characters live in. Visiting the past version of Hill Valley and seeing all of the buildings we saw run down or dying in the earlier sequences now active and full of life is as exciting and unusual for us as it is Marty McFly. Even the election slogans for Mayor Goldie Wilson are discovered to be exact copies of the campaign of a man 30 years earlier. An audience that picks this up will find it to be an amusing touch that adds to the atmosphere of this small town. It is this idea of ‘familiar, but different’ that creates this effect, and the film uses it expertly.
The characters of the film are in my opinion some of the most memorable in film history. Everyone will recognise an impression of Doc Brown exclaiming ‘Great Scott!’ or the class bully Biff Tanner telling Marty to ‘Make like a tree and get out of here’. These lines resonate with us for a reason, as these characters are so believable, yet have an exaggerated nature and comedic tone which fits with the adventure style feel of the film. Marty McFly is a well-planned protagonist for the film, the early sequences showing him ‘down on his luck’ and trying to get by despite his trouble with the school system and his parents. We see a real arc for him where he is able to help his father out in the past, and by doing so, creates a better future. George’s uncertain nature about his writing is also reminiscent of Marty’s earlier concerns about his music, being told he ‘was no good’. In helping George with his confidence, the audience is left to assume that Marty will also be able to take that step and try and make a name for himself. Comparing characters like Marty’s parents or Biff to their younger selves is also fun for the audience. We can see how they have (or haven’t) changed, with their high school selves being very different to how they may have presented themselves in the future. George McFly’s timid approach to Biff as his boss is mirrored in the past with Biff as his bully. This gives the audience something to root for, we want George to learn from Marty’s teachings and face his fears. His knockout punch on Biff is the climax in an extremely satisfying arc for George’s character, with the reward of him getting the girl.
The writing can also be extremely clever at times, highlighting the difference between the two times extremely well. Doc Brown’s scientific ramblings with him trying to understand the future could not be further from the truth at times. Marty’s interactions in the past with him trying to do something simple like order a drink is fun to see, watching a TV show or play guitar really does show such a big difference the social context of each time, and is understandably funny for all generations. Even dialogue like Biff calling George an ‘Irish Bug’, a jab at his last name being a combination of ‘Mc’ and ‘Fly’, is something silly which I really enjoy, as its meaning does not immediately stand out.
The final thing I want to mention has to be the soundtrack for the film, which is a favourite of mine. The all-important theme for this film is one which is iconic with the image of the delorean. Music from the 50s really helps create the atmosphere of the past, such as Mr Sandman playing when Marty first enters Hill Valley of the past. Songs like The Power of Love and Johnny Be Good are iconic for this film, and such memorable sequences. The music of this film really does suit each scene perfectly.
So this ended up being quite a lengthy post about a film I’m clearly very passionate about, and although I’m not sure what I’ve written can count as real analysis, but that’s just what I’m at RMIT for. I think it’s good that I’ve done this, as it shows what my level of knowledge is now, and this post is something I’m likely to revisit in the future to see how much I’ve grown through these teachings.
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