Back to the Future Part 3 (1990) (Movie Review)

 

    It was the start of a new decade, the 80’s had come to pass, and to begin the new decade, it was time to put a bow on one of the most successful film franchises of the time. “Back to the Future Part 3” came out the following year after it’s predecessor, with many critics regarding it as superior to “Part 2”, although many fans were kind of mixed on the film. Setting the final chapter of the trilogy in the old west seemed like kind of a generic premise for a series that had been more adventure oriented, and had more variety to offer with its unique time-travel. Despite being pined by fans as the black sheep of the series, it’s also gained a reputation on the internet as one of those sequels that’s not as bad as its reputation suggests. For me, I find myself in a curious place in which, I do think this is objectively the best of the two sequels, but I’d also rather watch the previous “Part 2” over this one. In many respects, it fixes many of the reservations I had with the previous film, but it’s still not of par with the magic that made the first movie so perfect, nor does it rekindle the same sense of excitement. However, I’m willing to just except this as a quieter, simple sequel … even if it isn’t as re-watchable.

    It’s worth noting that this movie marked the 75^th anniversary for Universal Studio’s, so the movie opens with a quick montage of all their previous studio logos, which I always found a nostalgic little highlight. Picking up right where “Part 2” ended, the time machine got struck by lightning, sending Doc back to the old West of 1885, and leaving Marty Stranded back in 1955. Thankfully, Marty reunites with Doc Brown of the 50’s, and after discovering the DeLorean in a cave, the two come-up with a simple plane to get Marty back home, while the Doc wishes to remain in his favorite time-period of the old West. The one snag is that Marty soon learns that Doc Brown will soon be killed in a duel with Biffs great ancestor, an outlaw called Mad Dog Tannin. Thus, against his friends wishes, Marty goes back to the old West himself to rescue the Doc. While it doesn’t take long for the two to reunite, the fuel line on the DeLorean regrettably gets cut, leaving both stranded yet again, and needing to come to a salutation to get the vehicle going. It’s decided that they steel a train, which can be used to push the DeLorean to the required 88 miles per hour. One last hurdle comes in the form of a local school teacher named Clara, who the Doc falls in love with. This begins an ethical debate between what his intellect says is the right course of action, and what he feels is right in his heart.

    Themes of predetermined destiny versus an individual’s choice of how to live their life has always been at the for front of this series, and charting one’s course is undeniably at the heart of this film. As Doc Brown says to Marty … “Your Future is Whatever you Make it.” It’s a great statement, and I feel it gives this sequel a little more substance than the previous film, which was a straight forward, Sci-Fi adventure. Yes, both the charm, and especially the heart is all back in this film … but the energy admittedly isn’t as high. 

Without question, this film has its highlights, including a visual gag when Marty goes back in time, as he’s heading toward a picture of Indians on horseback, which end-up paralleling with real Indian’s when he travels through time. Another funny highlight is when Marty realizes that he’ll be the one who gets shot instead of the Doc, and as the two switch positions, they end-up quoting each other’s signature catch-phrases. Marty: “Great Scott!” Doc: “I Know, this is Heavy!” I also love watching the Doc adjusting to the crudity of the time-period … like when he creates a massive device with the soul purpose of producing a single ice-cube ... that alone brings me so much joy. 

Also, as a fan of cheesy 50’s movies, I have to mention the moment when Marty comments on his cow-bow attire, claiming that Clint Eastwood would never wear anything like this. As he said that, there’s two movie posters of “Tarantula” and “Revenge of the Creature” in the back ground, which were two of Clint Eastwood’s very first movies. Of course, the climactic train chase makes for a thrilling set-piece, but aside from all that, this film unfortunately can feel a little slow and uneventful at times. Not that I need wall-to wall action, but as a comparison, the first movie was paced brilliantly, and each scene holds my interest, even when there isn’t much action. Something about the Western setting just isn’t that exciting to be in, and the deliberate slow-pacing doesn’t always work in the films favor.  

    What dose continue to work are the characters, namely Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown, who basically takes the rains as the main lead of this chapter. He was already one of my favorite characters, but this movie takes him even further, as he’s still just as funny and charming as ever, but he also feels more human this time around, questioning what’s the right thing to do, and if he should tempt fate by following his heart. While I admit, I always found the Clara character to be a little annoying, she’s at least portrayed well by Mary Steenburgen, and the character at least adds a new dynamic to Doc Brown. Michael J. Fox is naturally back for one last round as Marty McFly, and the character finally gets some closure to his previous story arc of jumping the gun, and acting on blind impulse.

    The series main villain Biff is reduced to a walk-in cameo this time, but his ancestor Mad Dog Tannen makes up for it, as both a threatening and funny new adversary in his own right. Plus, I always loved the consistency of the cast playing different family members, and Thomas F. Wilson delivers yet another charismatic performance. This does bring me to my only real issue, as Lea Thompson is back for a third time, playing Marty’s great ancestor named Maggie McFly, and once again she’s barley in the film. Instead of playing a meaningful part in Marty’s journey, she’s constantly side-lined in favor of this other ancestor who’s also played by Michael J. Fox. Personally, I don’t want to see Michael J. Fox in a dual role, I want the charm of Lea Thompson bouncing off the other characters, just like in the first movie.      

    In the end, I may not have been on board with the Western setting, the films pacing isn’t always consistent, and it’s generally the movie I watch the least in this series … but, with all that said, I still think this is a terrific sequel in its own right, and in many ways, I do find it superior to “Part 2”. I love seeing my favorite character Doc Brown take center stage in his own film, and the cast is still just as charming as ever. Beyond that, this movie dose convey a simple, thoughtful message regarding the direction we take our lives, and for that, it’s always resonated with me as something special. I’d definitely need to be in a proper mind set to enjoy this film, but it’s all around a satisfying conclusion to one of the great classic movie trilogies.

Thanks for reading my review of “Back to the Future Part 3” … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!