Eat lead, slackers!

Back to the Future Part II

(1989)

Once we leave the rather too broad and indulgent future vision (Zemeckis admits it didn't interest him much, and it's telling that he was most fired up by the camera trickery required for multiple Michael Js) this is first rate, justly recognised as a sequel that doesn't rest on its laurels.

For such a densely-packed script it's surprisingly the shortest of the trilogy. The nightmare 1985 is probably the highlight, but the revisiting of the first film is sharp and inventive. What doesn't work, and smacks of desperation, is the decision to imbue Marty with a character failing he has to overcome (in the third film). The whole "No one calls me chicken" bit just seems like lazy writing, and, since we've already hit upon what causes all Marty's problems in the film (greediness), unnecessary.

Indeed, one could argue that the film is a reaction to the shallow materialism of the ending of the first film. The hero is punished for wanting even more (the sports almanac); no need for the lame "chicken" business.

****1/2

Here's the trailer for Part II:

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