Back to the Future Part II

Name: Back to the Future Part II
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comedy
Released: November 22, 1989
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Michael J. Fox

1989

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Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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Universal acclaim based on 534 Ratings

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 534 Ratings

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Back To The Future, Part 2

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: November 22, 1989 | PG

Starring: Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Michael J. Fox

Summary: After visiting 2015, Marty McFly must return to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to his life in 1985.

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Genre(s): Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel

It twists it, shakes it and stands it on its ear. But as before, the film's technical brilliance is the least of its appeals. Satirically acute, intricately structured and deftly paced, it is at heart stout, good and untainted by easy sentiment.

Janet Maslin

Back to the Future deserved a chance to come back, especially under the cheerful, enterprising, mathematically minded stewardship of Mr. Zemeckis and Mr. Gale. Their new film isn't an ordinary sequel. It's as if the earlier film had been squared. Read full review

David Ansen

Director Robert Zemeckis and writer Bob Gale assume you've seen the original and are ready to swallow whatever zany time-travel notion they offer. They're not wrong. As unapologetically broad and silly as this sequel it, it's also a good deal of fun, and its relentless velocity is part of the joke. [4 Dec. 1989, p.78]

Desmond Ryan

Fans of the original should relish going back to Back to the Future, as long as they keep in mind that in movies - as in life - you can't go home again. And if you do, things aren't likely to be the same. [22 Nov 1989, p.E1]

Dave Kehr

A movie that must spend most of its running time explaining its hopelessly complicated premises, which leaves very little room for anything much to happen. [22 Nov 1989, p.C1]

Desson Thomson

Future II bombards you with more brand-name advertising than three hours of prime-time TV could muster, although repeat filmmakers Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis put a humorous twist on everything. Read full review

Jay Scott

Given Part II's quality, the final sequence, a series of clips from next summer's Part III, may be a major miscalculation. "To be concluded," reads the final title. Sounds more like a threat than a promise. [22 Nov 1989, p.C9]

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InverseCritic

Oct 4, 2013

This is my favourite chapter in the trilogy. The original is still like listening to a rock song in 1955, but the second one is like having a time machine to yourself while you watch it. It's smart, takes many different turns, and it didn't confuse me. I don't see why people say it's confusing.

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

Kai82

Apr 10, 2021

A sequel that challenges the already excellent prequel. I am still undecided which one is the better movie. The first one is more unique but the sequel is also amazing. Since both are truly great movies it does not really mater at the end of the day. While it is also a science fiction comedyA sequel that challenges the already excellent prequel. I am still undecided which one is the better movie. The first one is more unique but the sequel is also amazing. Since both are truly great movies it does not really mater at the end of the day. While it is also a science fiction comedy it is also different and has a bit of a darker tone than the prequel. The movie starts at the end of the prequel (At the sequel teaser) were Doc Brown appeared again to bring Marty and his girlfriend Jennifer into the future in the year 2015 to prevent serious family troubles there (This sounds fake now as we are already past 2015;-). However because of some carelessness this is just a small inconvenience to the events that happen when they return to the past. I will stop here with the set up to avoid spoilers. The story is magnificent and the twists are remarkable. They could play it safe but tried something new. This works well, is immersive and enjoyable from start to finish. Bonus: Many years later it was interesting to make the comparison between the movie imagination and real year 2015 (The imagination won;-). I will praise the creativity here for the story and worldbuilding. Much of the pop culture knowledge of fictional time travel is from this movie. Again they mastered the balance between seriousness and humor in a way that none harms the other. Also again the great cast delivers a performance that enhances the movie. Lets start with Marty McFly played by Michael J. Fox who again fully delivers his role. Same for Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown who is our beloved eccentric or slightly mad scientist;-). These 2 have such a great chemistry in the franchise. Thomas F. Wilson returns as Biff Tannen and even surpasses his performance from the first movie. It is no wonder why he is one of the most memorable antagonist of his (movie) age. The rest of the cast also adds to the great performance and I will praise all of them. Where this movie is clearly a bit weaker than the prequel is the soundtrack and it is still a good soundtrack. Overall this was a great sequel. It has the strength of the original and fresh ideas. The story and humor in combination with the actors work well. It is an easy recommendation and I will praise director Robert Zemeckis for this great movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Pan_Krytyk

Jan 9, 2022

Uwielbiam tę serie filmową... i nie zmienię zdania... wychowałem sie na tym... no i ten delorean :D