11. The score
This will probably be one of the arguments in favour of every film featured in one of these lists as people associate the music of the films with those great childhood memories.
Alan Silvestris score though must go down as one of the all time greats Ive heard the music from Back to the Future used dozens of times other than within the film which just shows how enduring this music is. I defy anyone not to get goose bumps when they hear Silvestris majestic score kick in, even if, like me, youve seen this film pushing treble figures number of times and you know it frame for frame. This score cant help but make you feel that maybe Doc wont get that wire reconnected in time or maybe Marty wont get away from the Libyans this time.
12. It was referenced by a President in a State of the Union Address
Fair enough it was Reagan, but still. Yes, thats right, during his state of the Union address in 1986
President Ronald Reagan (who is famously referenced in the film himself) said in his State of the Union address -
As they said in the film Back to the Future, Where we're going, we don't need roads. Similarly,
George W. Bush later referenced his favourite movie:
'Air Bud' in one of his addresses.
13. Michael J. Foxs performance of a lifetime
Michael J. Fox is a great actor and people often forget that see his performance in Peter Jacksons underrated 'The Frighteners' or his recent Emmy-nominated guest run on the brilliant 'Rescue Me' if you need proof that he can actually act rather than coast by on charm. And while Marty McFly may not have required him to flex his thespian muscles too much, this is undoubtedly the performance he will always be remembered for, and deservedly so.
When they made 'Back to the Future', Fox was filming practically 24 hours a day with 'Family Ties' during the day and then 'Back to the Future' through the night yet he still exudes his trademark charm & charisma and brings a sparkle to the role that is rarely emulated on screen.
14. The teaser ending
Nothing frustrates me more than when a film blatantly ends with a sequel in mind. When 'Back to the Future' was originally released the ending wasnt meant to set-up a sequel, in fact had they had a sequel in mind the ending would have no doubt been somewhat different. Having Jennifer in the car at the end of the film presented the writers no end of problems with 'Part II', especially when
Claudia Wells didnt return. The ending was meant to show the endless possibilities that Doc and Marty now had with their time machine, not specifically to set up 'Part II'. So when the decision to make sequels was made, the To Be Continued graphic was added in to all cuts of the original film.
When that graphic flashes up its almost impossible to not want to pop
Part II into the DVD player, so although it wasnt originally intended to be a bridge to
Part II, the ending of Back to the Future
actually became a brilliant teaser for what was to come.