Pop Culture Movies and More: Back to the Future (1985)

Marty McFly is a 17-year-old high school student of the 1980’s, who has a close friendship with a brilliant, slightly mad, scientist called Dr. Emmett Brown. Doc Brown calls upon Marty to bring his video camera and meet him to record his latest invention. To Marty’s surprise, it's a Delorean, however, this isn't just any Delorean. This is a plutonium-filled time machine. Marty is accidentally sent back in time to the year 1955 when the experiment goes awry. He then accidentally meets younger versions of his parents and is left with the difficult task of making sure they fall in love so he can get back to the future but if not, he will cease to exist. This has to be up there as the most incredible 80s movies ever made and I'd go as far as to say the best. I have seen this countless times and it never gets old. It is a timeless masterpiece. Everything about this film is amazing from the story, the acting, the music, and the special effects. Also, the creativity put into this film is off the charts, having a time travelling car is such a brilliant, unique idea. This film always manages to blow me away with the special effects. This is certainly the case with the scene where the time machine first-ever reaches 88 mph and sparks begin to fly, lights shine and the trail of flames is left behind as it travels through time. So visually stunning and memorable. Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd do a fabulous job as Marty and Doc Brown and their friendship will always be iconic in movie history, from their humour-filled interactions to the sense of care and duty they have to one another. Not only that but when Marty travels back in time and requires the help of past Doc, he gains his trust and their friendship only grows. I adore both actors and I feel the two are absolutely perfect for this movie and couldn't imagine the film without them. Not to mention my favourite car ever in all of movie history: the Delorean was brought to fame through this film and as Dr. Emmett Brown so rightly put it: "The way I see it if you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?". It has such a futuristic feel to it. With the doors opening upwards and its silver paint job, it has a very science fiction apparel, especially with its additional modifications. One of the best movie references to this classic is in Ready Player One (2018). The film is filled with references and easter eggs to many pop culture movies, shows, and games, one of which happens to be the Delorean. They even take it a step further by modifying the front of the car to feature K.I.T.T.'s light sensor from Knight Rider (TV Series 1982-1986), which is one of the coolest-looking cars I have ever seen. One of my favourite parts of this film is seeing Marty have to restore his parents' meeting and falling in love as he has some real heartfelt moments with his father George as he tries to make him tougher to fight for Lorraine, Marty's mother. Marty's facial expressions are so hilarious when things don't go as planned or is completely confused by the older times and frequently gets a smile from me. Back to the Future will always be one of the most iconic 80s films ever, still being discovered today and capturing the imagination and interest of all ages. It will forever hold a very special place in my heart, as well as the whole trilogy and video game spin-offs. Overall, Back to the Future is a pop culture classic, alongside the later films, and is definitely one you cannot afford to miss out on. Such an impactful movie that will forever stay with so many people, including myself, and will stand the test of time forever. It can even be viewed as a stand-alone experience, without even needing to see the sequels. That's one of the beauties of this film. It can either: be enjoyed on its own or as a trilogy, whichever you think is best. So jump into your Deloreans and travel over to the fantastic sequel: Back to the Future Part II (1989) where we see our duo step into the Hill Valley of the future in the year 2015.