Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writers (WGA):

Robert Zemeckis (characters) &
Bob Gale (characters) ...

Release Date:

22 November 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Getting back was only the beginning.

Plot:

After visiting 2015, Marty McFly must repeat his visit to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to 1985... without interfering with his first trip.

Plot Keywords:

Future | Time Machine | Futuristic | Cafe | Kicked In The Crotch

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 8 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Michael J. Fox	...	Marty McFly / Marty McFly Jr / Marlene McFly
Christopher Lloyd	...	Dr. Emmett Brown
Lea Thompson	...	Lorraine
Thomas F. Wilson	...	Biff Tannen / Griff Tannen
Elisabeth Shue	...	Jennifer Parker - Jennifer McFly
James Tolkan	...	Mr. Strickland
Jeffrey Weissman	...	George McFly
Casey Siemaszko	...	3-D
Billy Zane	...	Match
J.J. Cohen	...	Skinhead
Charles Fleischer	...	Terry
E. Casanova Evans	...	'Michael Jackson' Video Waiter
Jay Koch	...	'Ronald Reagan' Video Waiter
Charles Gherardi	...	'Ayatollah Khomeini' Video Waiter
Ricky Dean Logan	...	Data

Also Known As:

Paradox (USA) (fake working title)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Canada:G (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Portugal:M/6 | South Korea:12 | Brazil:Livre | Ireland:PG | Spain:T | Canada:G (Quebec) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:K-10 | Iceland:L | Italy:T | Netherlands:MG6 | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

One initial idea for the sequel had the first two acts the same, but the third act had Biff giving his younger self the almanac in the 1960s, not in 1955. When Marty went back to stop him, he ran into his parents again (who were now hippies) and almost stopped his own conception. Robert Zemeckis decided that it was too similar an idea to the first film and came up with the idea of revisiting the original film from different angles with the two Martys in 1955.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Marty is spying on Biff in 1955, he is seen wearing black sunglasses. However, when he look trough the binoculars there is no tint.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Young Jennifer: How 'bout a ride, mister?
Marty McFly: Jennifer! Oh, man, are you a sight for sore eyes; let me look at you.
Young Jennifer: Marty, you're acting like you haven't seen me in a week.
Marty McFly: I haven't.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "South Park: Go God Go XII (#10.13)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

I Can't Drive 55

Revenge of the 80's: The Franchise

Back to the Future Part II (1989) was green lighted after the success of the first film. The film follows the further adventures of Marty and Doc Brown. This film and the third installment were filmed back to back. However the complexity of the storyline turned off many of the fans of the original. But this is what I enjoyed about this movie. Instead of being the same old run-of-the-mill by the numbers sequel, the film makers decided to do something different and make this a brain twister film. The beauty of this movie is that you have to pay close attention to it.

The film takes place right after the events of part one. Doc Brown comes back from the future to help Marty get his kid out of trouble. Instead of leaving well enough alone, all three of them head off to the future to try and change events. They managed to pull it off but unfortunately they tore a fabric in time due to Marty being greedy and the nosy efforts of Doc Brown. Can Doc and Marty safely restore the space and time continuum before the universe collapses upon itself?

A fun sequel with a few cast changes (Elizabeth Shue now portrays Marty's girlfriend whilst Crispin Glover is no longer with in the film except in stock footage). Most of the original players return to reprise their original roles. Michael J. Fox stretches his acting abilities by playing his son and daughter as well as his older self. If you enjoyed the first film then you'll really want to watch this one (if you haven't already).

Highly recommended.