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Review by James Raffoul |
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DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: Disc 1: Back To the Future movie; 'The Making of
Back to the Future' - a rare behind the scenes look; 'Making the Trilogy:
Chapter 1' - retrospective look featuring cast and crew; All new feature commentary
with Director/Writer Robert Zemeckis & Producer/Writer Bob Gale; Hilarious
outtakes; Deleted Scenes; Original make-up tests; 'Did you know that? Universal's
animated anecdotes' - watch the movie and learn more interesting facts; Production
Archive -- photographs, original storyboards & props. Storyboards to final
feature comparisons; Theatrical trailer.
Disc 2: Back to the Future II movie; Back to the Future II featurette - a
rare behind the scenes look; 'Making the Trilogy: Chapter 2' - a retrospective
look featuring cast and crew; Hilarious outtakes; Deleted Scenes; Hover Board
test on location; Production Archive - photographs, original storyboards &
props; Storyboards to final feature comparisons; Theatrical trailer.
Disc 3: Back to the Future III movie; 'Making the Trilogy: Chapter 3' - a
retrospective look featuring cast and crew; Hilarious outtakes; Deleted Scenes;
ZZ Top music video 'Doubleback; Production Archive - photographs, original
storyboards & props; Storyboards to final feature comparisons; Theatrical
trailer.
"WHEN this baby hits 88mph, you're gonna see some serious shit."
Fantastic. The long awaited, eagerly-anticipated, much-adulated,
no more words ending in ed can describe the fever that surrounded the release
of this overdue trilogy release by Universal Pictures.
For days, months, and even years, there has been much speculation surrounding
the films' release on DVD, with all the press releases predicting that 'new
features will be added, deleted scenes will be changed, storyboards you will
see…..'
The Southern Hemisphere was the first to see it, back in the summer of 2002,
but we had to wait until early December and the States was put back until
December 17.
Fortunately, as it happens, we were wise to wait. As well as the six hours
of film footage from the three films themselves, we are treated to an additional
five hours of bonus footage, including deleted scenes, outtakes, feature commentary,
interviews, the making of, storyboards, musical scores and a whole lot more.
Everything the self-confessed BTTF geek will love. In fact, you don't even
have to be a geek to enjoy these films and their new extras, just a movie
fan.
BTTF 1 was released in 1985 and, as the original was, undoubtedly, the most
popular of the three. What's more, it has stood the test of time, as both
a sci-fi flick and an action adventure comedy. It was also the biggest grossing
film at the Box Office that year.
BTTF II and BTTF III were unique to Hollywood film-making and, because of
the hectic work schedules of director, Robert Zemeckis and star, Michael J
Fox, they were filmed back-to-back in 1989 and 1990. So, indeed, the trailers
you see at the end of Part 2 were a shameless plug for the third film, and
nothing more.
Endlessly re-watchable and hopelessly enjoyable, the inter-relating scripts
make this a true film buff's delight, as spotting all the weavings of the
three plots adds an extra dimension to some quality viewing.
Whether your favourite character is the bullish Biff Tannen, the eccentric
mad professor, Doc Brown, or, of course, Marty Mcfly, BTTF has something for
everyone and is a real treat.
The
DVD further includes footage of Zemeckis and executive producer, Bob Gale,
adding their theories as to why BTTF has been such a success, along with Michael
J Fox. Sub-plots are explained, as is the real reason why Eric Stolz was originally
cast as Marty ahead of Michael J Fox - and subsequently fired from production!
In my opinion, it is the originality of the story that helps to define the
success of the trilogy, and this excellent DVD captures its finest moments
in a quality format.
Whether it's the future, the wild west, the 50's or the glamour stricken 80's,
BTTF is, even 17 years on, as unashamedly popular as it was on its first release.
"Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads."
