BACK TO THE FUTURE 2

US, 1989, 107 minutes, Colour.
Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson, Elisabeth Shue, Elijah Wood.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Back to the Future Part 2 is much as expected - with greater mastery of special effects. Since the original worked, why not a sequel? In fact, part 3 was already made with part 2 awaiting a 1990 release.

Many found the film too complex - they even go back right into the original film. There is also travel into the future, and into a 1955 hypothetical past (an ugly time warp that is straight out of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life). This makes the plot somewhat convoluted - but it's enjoyable high tech science fantasy.

1.The popularity of the original? The need for sequels?

2.The atmosphere of the '80s, of the '50s, of the future? California? Lifestyle? Similarities and contrasts? The decor of the time warp and its ugliness?

3.The importance of stunts, technology, special effects? Going back into the original film? The film within a film? The parallel with It's a Wonderful Life?

4.The stars, the popularity from the original? Audiences identifying them and identifying with them?

5.The what if....? The future, the past? An alternate present?

6.Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly: audiences liking him from the first film? His friendship with Doc? Relationship with his parents? His dating Jennifer? Relationship with her, going to the future with her? His seeing his son - wimpish, involved in crime? Seeing his slovenly self in middle age? The contrast with the Tannens of the future? The robbery, Marty thwarting it? The older Biff and his scheming? Taking the calendar? Alternate world and Marty lost in it, finding his mother degraded, his father dead? Biff and his control? The ugly world? Trying to get the almanac? Going back to 1955, the dance from the first film? The skateboard chase, the dilemmas, Doc and his going back into the past? The announcing of part 3?

7.Doc, the eccentric scientist, his discoveries, the car, going into the future and coming back, wanting Marty to help, the exploits in the future, back into 1955, his going back to the west?

8.The picture of California future - gaudy, technological? Tougher? The degeneration of the McFlys? The McFlys? and the Tannens? Mistakes? The delinquent groups? The build up to the robbery, the violence? Thwarting the robbery?

9.Biff and his son, the thug, Biff and his scheming, the almanac, returning to the past, his power, winning money with the bets, becoming the big Boss? Biff in 1955, the confrontation, the chase?

10.Marty's mother, in the ordinary world, in the alternate world - and becoming Biff's moll?

11.Jennifer, in the present, in the future, her collapse, waking up, thinking it a dream?

12.The picture of the future gang, the various types - reminiscent of the past? The gangs in the past?

13.The political touch - '80s politics and President Reagan, the Ayatollah Khomenei?

14.Comic adventures, excitement? The conventions of the What if...? Melodrama?