Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): May 17, 2019
4.9
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 59 Ratings
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Positive:
18
Mixed:
20
Negative:
21
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5
UghReallyMay 23, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie is going to be well reviewed by critics because of the subject matter, regardless of how mediocre the movie actually is. This is a middle of the road movie, folks. Another reviewer hit it on the head when they said something to the effect of how it felt like an early 2000’s Nickelodeon movie. It absolutely does, except for people getting killed and more than a few non kid friendly expletives and epithets used. The acting was ok, and the characters sympathetic, but it just kind of never really went anywhere. Also, the ending was open ended and unsatisfying, to say the least. Not in a Sopranos kind of way, where it made sense and you got what was being conveyed.

It’s worth a watch, if you’ve binged watched all the other stuff out on Netflix, but it really doesn’t deserve any of the glowing reviews that paid critics are giving it.
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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1
ysmfMay 20, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not even worth your time. The scenes are horrible in this, painstakingly long and annoying that adds nothing to the movie (especially some parts with slow motion. Intro to the town with music was unnecessary long, mid point scene where they're upgrading their machine, ending shot was of CJ running and camera focusing on her face for too long). Some scenes are just too long even though the conversation between each characters are short (eg. CJ and her brother in the kitchen washing dishes, CJ eavesdropping on Eduardo). The acting performance are decidedly obnoxiously average by everyone. Splicing in black culture/life in this does not add anything of note to this movie. Almost everything about the time traveling parts are cringe (the first time they succeeded, the camera was going EVERYWHERE for no particular reason and it just reminded me of a 2000s-esque low budget TV movie for kids by Nickelodeon.)

The worst is that they never actually tried to explain anything about their traveling device--which ties into the mid point of the film where they have to upgrade their devices. We're shown a lot of stuffs (liquid, VR/AR tech, quantum(?) motherboards) but NO EXPLANATION of anything absolutely by anyone. What was that liquid?? Pomegranate juice?? Why does that purportedly quantum motherboard look like a regular micro-ATX motherboard but spray painted gold?? Why is there a tube from the device that connects to their phone on their arm?? A LOT OF WHYS! This is not the way to go about a time traveling movie as we can't relate as we don't know anything!

A pet peeve--in their laboratory/garage there's a workstation consisting of 3 iMacs (triple monitor setup iMac--except that it's all iMacs) that they don't even use and have some kind of cringe animation going on there on a loop. NOBODY uses iMacs as their secondary or third monitor in a triple display system as it is a hassle compared to regular monitors. It's basically just placing the iMacs there for the sake of we're able to see it clearly...product placement???

This movie is so out of touch with any time traveling film. Adding in black culture does not do this any justice, didnt even evoke any sense of pain or loss. Wasted my time watching this. Dear Spike Lee, give me a time machine to turn back time and stop myself from watching this.
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6 of 8 users found this helpful62
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3
Volrath316May 18, 2019
The protagonist character CJ was really unlikable and she hardly learned any lesson at all by the end of the movie since the movie didn't really have an actual ending. In the end CJ was still stubborn and reckless and we have no idea whatThe protagonist character CJ was really unlikable and she hardly learned any lesson at all by the end of the movie since the movie didn't really have an actual ending. In the end CJ was still stubborn and reckless and we have no idea what happens at the end of the film. Besides that if you're bored and scrolling through Netflix this movie could be a fun watch if you don't have much expectations but don't expect to be satisfied by the end of the film. Expand
5 of 7 users found this helpful52
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6
HamdiS71May 20, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. it has some really nice and heartwarming moments but also a few failed attempts at eliciting emotion (my emotions anyway), i didn't quite understand the bit after Sebastian died, did the movie continue with cj when she got back in time which should be a few weeks after or did it continue right after Sebastian's death? and why is every teenager brilliant? i can accept that but at least give me some context, how is a time travel project made just to win an expo, and how is the circuit thing just hiding under a teenager's bed? its not that big of a deal alone but many small issues in this movie combined to make it a less immersive and enjoyable experience. Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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10
chiddaMay 22, 2019
I rarely cry during movies but this one was a real tear jerker—one that effectively utilized science fiction to illuminate the horrors of being black in America.
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
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8
djtripmixMay 19, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Thought it was awesome. Love the "wink, wink" cameo. ...and most of all, I like it BECAUSE it doesn't end! Expand
0 of 5 users found this helpful05
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9
sirrongFeb 28, 2020
A fascinating amalgam of genres, without losing focus on the movie's most important social theme.
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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10
JohanZMay 24, 2019
The premise of two kids building a time machine seemed a bit silly at first, but as the move started to accelerate, it just knocked me over completely. But respect the age recommendation. It´s not "Back to the Future".
0 of 4 users found this helpful04
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8
Bryan_RathbunMay 25, 2019
See You Yesterday Is a nice sci-fi movie involving time travel with highschoolers, but mixed with a relevant black lives matter plot. It is well done and solid performances from the leads.
0 of 4 users found this helpful04
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7
ajzeg01Jan 10, 2020
This is a very clever time travel story with a modern-day twist. Two tech genius kids from a black community in New York City invent time travel and deal with bullies, gang violence, police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. ThinkThis is a very clever time travel story with a modern-day twist. Two tech genius kids from a black community in New York City invent time travel and deal with bullies, gang violence, police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. Think Back to the Future meets Do the Right Thing. At first, I thought this was a kids movie. Then the characters dropped the F bomb and started throwing around the N word. Yeah, for something that has the production value of a Disney Channel Original Movie, it deals with some pretty mature subject matter. However, despite all that, this film is a very easy and fun watch. The characters are great and the writing is smart, you can really feel the connection they have with one another and the emotional impact of what they’re going through. I was impressed. However, there is one BIG thing that I have a huge issue with. The ending. While I’m not going to give it away, it was really unsatisfying and makes the movie feel unfinished. I’m all for open endings that leave things open to interpretation, but this is NOT the way to do it! Anyway, that aside, I enjoyed the movie a lot. This movie is actually getting pretty bad reactions from audiences and I’m really not sure why. It could be the cheap effects or the ending, or maybe people are just racist. A movie about Black Lives Matter doesn’t seem like something the internet hate mob would take too kindly to. Well, whatever the reason, I enjoyed it and I’d recommend checking it out, it’s on Netflix. Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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6
uchihasilverMay 23, 2019
I actually enjoyed this film especially the characters and i loved the believable setting of time travel just being some jank piece of equipment made in a garage and this film would have rated much higher for me had it not been for the weirdI actually enjoyed this film especially the characters and i loved the believable setting of time travel just being some jank piece of equipment made in a garage and this film would have rated much higher for me had it not been for the weird trend netflix has going on of their movies having no conclusion much the same as how it ends another netflix film but as far as I’m concerned the cast did an excellent job Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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1
speedroFeb 12, 2023
This is again a typical american virtue signaling movie now focusing on BLM stuff about poor poor black folks in america suffering in life because of police brutality covered in some strange wannabe Back to the Future coat. But now withThis is again a typical american virtue signaling movie now focusing on BLM stuff about poor poor black folks in america suffering in life because of police brutality covered in some strange wannabe Back to the Future coat. But now with overly incompetent and stupid main and side characters who are not only not helping themselves, but also making everything worse with every step.
The stupidity and arrogant persona of the main character girl is so annoying, that i tried to watch this 2x. But had to stop every time. She is so annoying.

And this BLM propaganda is so strong, that as someone not living in the US, and not caring about US issues, don't have any patience and interest seeing this here in the middle of EU.
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
JLuis_001Mar 11, 2021
It's like Dope but with time travel. I like that.

And it has Michael J. Fox.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
RobhienglerJul 1, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. BLACK TO THE FUTURE - part of the black lives matter collection.

CJ I have to say is the best most likeable characters ever created - her constant anger, recklessness, aggressiveness, her unwillingness to listen to anyone, sassy attitude and ineptitude in explaining anything. Hilariously she gas lights her own friend. If she was a male character she’d be accused of toxic masculinity but fortunately she isn’t and thus is a strong independent young woman - no double standards here you haters /s.

If you think CJ has a character arc you’d be dead wrong, she doesn’t change or learn anything from her experience, except one thing she throws her away her morals and uses her sex appeal to manipulate a school acquaintance into getting what she wants - you go girl!

As a time travel film the only good part is the cameo appearance of Michael J Fox, but unfortunately that’s where any charm or intelligence in the script goes out the window. Here we have some genius kids building a time machine, with no context as to why or motivation, nor how they could afford the tools or components to do so, and aside from Sebastian a complete lack of appreciation for consequences of meddling with the time line AKA CJ ‘I do whatever I want, no man gonna tell me what to do’ Walker. At least Doc Brown was an old man with a lifetime of experience and knowledge and a science pariah - I could suspend my disbelief. I think what Spike Lee is really saying is the white CIA is suppressing these black geniuses from just inventing time travel, fusion, FTL travel etc.

The props and CGI are second rate, one of the most hilarious moments is when their friend opens up a case to reveal gold painted ‘quantum’ micro ATX motherboards. Then later he’s repairing/modifying it using a soldering iron. Regular MOBO’ s have machines to solder on SMT’s, even if you were doing it manually you’d need specialist equipment. The entire backstory and premise is some poor Nickelodeon-level of ass-hattery.

Now onto why RT has rated this a 95% and that’s because of it’s BLM credentials, where we see one dimensional evil villain cops stir things up with CJ’s brother and eventually shoot him for no reason. The last last attempt CJ was pretty unpersuasive, you would have thought saying: ‘come quick we need your help, so and so is getting beat up etc’ or if two of you turn up - would be better that getting your stubborn older brother to believe something unbelievable in 30 seconds. I’m sure some Aesop fable about crying wolf applies here.

I guess the message of the film is CJ and black women should never give up even if all the male characters have resigned themselves to their fate. The Ending:
Some people say the ending was crap and left open. The reality is she keeps jumping back in an infinite loop f*cking things up, quite sad and dark really - a better title for this film may have been bLooper.

In summary, sub-average film riding on its woke credentials and would appeal to kids under the age of 8 if it weren’t for its TV-MA rating.
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
NyxxitApr 19, 2022
This was an awesome idea for a movie and the characters are great. The problem lies with the woke Black Lives Matter garbage woven throughout. The last thing I want to see when watching a movie is a racist organization peddling left wingThis was an awesome idea for a movie and the characters are great. The problem lies with the woke Black Lives Matter garbage woven throughout. The last thing I want to see when watching a movie is a racist organization peddling left wing propaganda. Black Lives Matter is a sham organization that has squandered millions from fools. The only black lives it has helped is that of the founders and executives. Anyone too dumb not to see that deserves to be duped. Time travel story to save brother - awesome. Blm propaganda- ruined the movie. Go figure with spike Lee's name on this you knew it was gonna be trash. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
tonykurebusuAug 1, 2023
The only plus of the movie (although it’s hard to call it a movie, rather an extended pilot of the TV show) is a cameo by Michael J. Fox
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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