Falling For the First Time (Talkin' BACK TO THE FUTURE with The Film Geek)

Some of you might remember a post I did a few weeks ago where I asked Vanessa to watch THE BREAKFAST CLUB for the first time. I was really excited to find out what holds up and what doesn't about films I grew up with that someone else was watching for the first time. I was so excited in fact, that I decided to continue with the series.

The next victim to get called on to the carpet is Emma The Film Geek, who writes both her own blog Final Cut, and contributes to Flickering Myth. She had come all this way without ever seeing the 1985 pop culture classic BACK TO THE FUTURE.

(Side note: If you have a blind spot for a touchstone film of the 80's/90's and want to do one of these with me - drop me a note and let me know).

So take a look after the jump for our analysis of how the film stands up today.

Where we're going, we don't need.....roads.

Hatter: So, did you like it?

Emma: I did, and I guess it has a lot to do with why I love movies generally: it's the magic and escapism. It's something that you know would never really happen but you lose yourself in it and get swept away by the possibilities. A lot of my enjoyment with films is based on how I feel about the characters and I really loved the characters in Back to the Future. I had assumed it would be all about Marty but found that I cared more about his parents.

Hatter: I've always loved that about this film. It's one thing to let Marty stumble through being back in time; there's much more at stake when he realizes his family's whole existence is riding on his actions.

The movie is 25 years old this year. Coming into it now, how would you say it holds up?

Emma: I think Back to the Future has aged a lot better than the Hughes/Brat Pack films in terms of costume, music and characters. If the film was made now instead of then, I would imagine it would be much the same as the characters and plot lines are universal and timeless.

Hatter: This post could go on for a week if we talked about how well or how poorly the Brat pack films have aged. Back to the matter at hand, there must be some things you'd switch if you could get into that DeLorean and give Zemeckis some notes. What didn't work for you?

Emma: One of the things that really bugged me about the film was the closeups on Michael J Fox's face whenever he had to look shocked. It just made me giggle. And the whole thing with his mum having a crush on him - which I know is meant to be funny - just didn't work for me.

Hatter: Gotta love incestuous storylines in major pop culture movies!

Emma: I also haven't quite figured out where I stand on the ending regarding the McFly family. I think I would have preferred it if Marty just came to understand how his mum fell in love with his dorky dad and that she was a bit crazy back in the day. I didn't particularly like how they became really successful as it says that's the kind of lifestyle you need to be happy.

Hatter: Perhaps. But Marty sorta brought that all on by accident.

Emma: Now that I'm thinking about it, it's not like Marty chose to make it that way. He just fudged up his parents' chance encounter and fought to get them together... so yeah, I guess he had to fix what he broke.

Hatter: There's a bunch of 80's winks that don't land the same way they once did...Marty trying to order a TAB or a Pepsi Free for instance. Do those winks to the time hold the film back?

Emma: Nah, I think 80s references would only be an issue in a film made after the 1980s but set in the 80s, like The Wedding Singer. As Back to the Future was released in 1985, you would expect it and it works in the context of the story.

Hatter: Good to know there's a clear distinction between this and HOT TUB TIME MACHINE. so it's not dated?

Emma: You can tell it's an 1980s film but it still works. Obviously films are a lot about the time they are made and the time they represent, so there is a strong 1950s and 1980s feel but to say the film is dated would sound negative and overlook the timeless quality it has.

Hatter: Good to know. Steve at The Film Cynics asked me this question once, so I feel I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you. We're never expressly told, so if you had to guess, how do Doc and Marty know each other?

Emma: Doc and Marty - hmm... it is actually making my head hurt trying to think about the whole Marty going back in time and going to Doc's house and explaining stuff to him which then begs the question: in the future how do they know each other? Is this a result of Marty going back in time and Doc found him somehow... Argh, the complications. I reckon he was a crazy-ass science teacher at his school who got sacked but they kept hanging out... maybe Marty used to walk his dog or something

Hatter: I never considered the time paradox angle - nice pull! Did that memorable score stick in your head?

Emma: I'm normally one of those people who gets film scores stuck in their head for days but this one has actually managed to by-pass me.

Hatter: Weird. So not like you need to or anything, but d'you think you might watch the rest of the trilogy now that you've broken your DeLorean cherry?

Emma: Seeing as I borrowed this off a friend and she lent me the entire boxset, I'm tempted to give the others a go before I give them back.

Hatter: Good call - but the first one is the best. Bring it all home: From a newbie's perspective 25 years after its release, what would you score BACK TO THE FUTURE on a scale of one to five?

Emma: And I'd give it a 3........ maybe 3.5. Slightly above average. Definitely entertaining and I'd probably watch it again, just not a favourite.