Video/DVD Review: Back to the Future
Rate This Article
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this movie has some bullying in it
and bits of language. The "s" word is uttered a few times,
there is a reference to "reefer," and a few dated racial slurs
are used by bad guys. There is a shooting, which appears to be
lethal at first that is committed by a group of Libyan
terrorists. It takes up no more than 3 minutes of the story,
but is impossible to ignore. Sex, wanted and unwanted, is
implied, but it's pretty harmless and will go over the heads of
youngsters. There is no action is taken beyond flirting and
kissing.
Families can talk about ways in which individuals such as
George can defend themselves without resorting to violence.
They also might discuss family history -- as in when Mom met
Dad.
Brimming with lighthearted energy, BACK TO THE FUTURE mixes science fiction with romantic comedy for a classic 1980s blockbuster. To avoid being shot down by Libyan terrorists, teenager Marty McFly ( Michael J. Fox) travels back to the 1950s via a DeLorean time machine invented by friend and mentor, Emmett "Doc" Brown ( Christopher Lloyd), Doc, a lovable wide-eyed, wild-haired stork of a mad scientist. Marty quickly gets more than he bargained for, accidentally interfering with the courtship of his own parents. He must aid his father in standing up to Biff (Thomas F. Wilson), the town bully, to get the attention of Marty's mother, to ensure their marriage and his existence in the future.
The film remains light and breezy, never taking time-travel too seriously. Both romance and science defer to adventure. That said, the sci-fi sub-plot never disappears for more than a scene or two. Marty's friendship with Doc is at heart of the film, and it keeps the mid-section from becoming just another romantic comedy.
Adult viewers may find that the film milks anachronisms for one joke too many, while kids are likely to get as much of a kick out of the dated clothing, music, and slang of 1980s as Marty gets out of the lack of TV reruns and Tab soda in '50s. It should come as little surprise that Steven Spielberg executive produced Back to the Future. Like so many of his films, it manages to blend heady science-fiction, humor, adventure, and romance while retaining an exuberance and a sense of wonder familiar to anyone under the age of 12.
Back to the Future Part IIBack to the Future Part III
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
