Back In Time (2015) (DVD review).
The words ‘Back In Time’ can only mean one thing, ‘Back To The Future’ and here we have a 94 minute documentary interviewing production people and members of the cast. As Steven Spielberg says, ‘it’s his favourite SF time travel film’. Robert Zemeckis is a little more critical of the shots in the film but he was the director.
Although its pointed out by producer/co-writer Bob Gale that it would be hard to make the film today because of the relationship between Doc Brown and Marty McFly being a potential molester. Mind you, my own contention is that Brown knew the future and would be Marty’s friend regardless to make his own future or that would cease to exist as well. Sometimes time has to work out that way.
There is some discussion about the cast changes and Zemeckis admits he kept filming Eric Stoltz for the six weeks simply because he thought things would work out. The footage still exists but I’m less sure if people would really want to see it, even with a few more clips here.
Undoubtedly, there is a lot of time looking at the three original DeLoreans, restored from the films and the converted cars that people have made like them. Bizarrely, Universal let one of the originals fall apart or ‘tourists’ steal parts of it when they disregarded if from their display. If you want to see one of the ‘real’ cars, have a look around the Smithsonian Museum by the way. The film is far more of a cult obsession Stateside than in the UK but I defy anyone not to have a smile a seeing them and knowing the cars are still out there. Likewise, a lot of the charitable work that is done with the cars.
Seeing Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Claudia Wells, James Tolkan and Don Fullilove discuss their roles and all three films has to be a highlight, not to mention them popping up at these more specialised conventions. The explanation of the physical effects holds up compared to current CGI does make a lot of sense. I suspect a decade more down the line, people will be able to tell which decade the level of CGI was but it’s a lot harder with good physical effects.
Seeing the work on the hoverboard in film and current developments is great for us into tech although I do have to wonder how long it will be before they look at aluminium’s magnetic properties to slow down fair rides and wonder if it can be done in reverse. After all, the premise in the film and why hoverboards don’t work on water very well, is them pushing up from the ground.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this documentary but, if you liked the original film, then you are going to find this experience great because you’ll know that you aren’t alone and why it still appeals. Just don’t part your Delorean in a way that won’t allow you to open the gull-doors.
GF Willmetts
September 2016
(region 2 DVD: pub: Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment/MVD Entertainment. 94 minute DVD film. Price: £ 7.99 (UK). ASIN: MVD8722D)
check out websites: www.kaleidoscopehomeentertainment.com/content/index.asp, www.backtothefuture.com and http://www.michaeljfox.com
