Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy | Blu-ray Review
By thisguyoverhere | October 26, 2010
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Tom Wilson
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Written by: Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis
Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction
Rating:
Video
Audio
Extras
Value
Review:
Universal Studios releases the Back to the Future trilogy for the 25th anniversary of its original theatrical release. In doing so, they’ve lovingly preserved the experience of seeing these films on the big screen as best they could for high definition. Naturally, there are a few pros and cons, so let’s take a look at the specifics:
Video:
Purists can bicker, but these films have never been presented better, even in their theatrical release. For a catalogue title, the image quality is as illustrious as is possible – there is rarely a hint of debris, there’s barely any soft images, and the color palates are beautiful (Clara’s purple dress is staggeringly vibrant). A few of the special effects shots are painfully obvious, but then, they’ve always been – particularly in the first film. The picture quality increases with each subsequent film, but that has more to do with the natural aging of the prints. Regardless, there is little left to be desired with these transfers.
Audio:
These films don’t boast subtlety in their sound design. It’s big and in your face, and with that the audio is as clean and pristine as can be. Alan Silverstri’s score drives the emotion and excitement of the film, but equal attention is paid to cleaning up the audio tracks so that the crackle of time travel, or the squealing tires of the Delorean aren’t dulled. What’s refreshing, though, is the consistency in the mix between the score, sound effects, and dialogue. There’s no need to keep the remote in hand to constantly adjust the volume as you watch due to erratic sound issues. There’s not a single instance of hiss, pops, dips, or muted sound – or at least there’s not enough time to notice. Perfect score.
Extras:
There is quite a lot of stuff here, but perhaps deceivingly so. The bulk of the features here appeared on the previous DVD release of the Back to the Future trilogy. The good news is that Universal didn’t toss any features away, allowing all of the supplements to tag-along on the Blu-ray. The new stuff that is provided here doesn’t necessarily provide any new information, though it’s fun to see the cast and crew all these years later.
The biggest problem with this release, and perhaps it’s a small qualm, is in the technical department. The packaging is incredibly clumsy and counterintuitive – I felt like I was going to break the disc trying to get it out of the package because I didn’t read the slip of paper that came with it instructing me how to properly remove it. That was a feat easily overcome, but the more harrowing trouble is the lack of a “resume playback” feature. If you plan on visiting these discs over and over again to view all of the supplements and commentaries, get ready to sit and wait through countless Universal logos, previews, and inconvenient menus. Of the hours I’ve spent on these discs, a good half hour or more has been spent repeatedly smashing my “top menu” button to skip the opening logos and “loading fresh preview from the internet” screen.
Ce la vie. Here’s what is offered once you get into the crux of it:
All Three Discs:
All three titles allow you to view the film with numerous commentaries and trivia tracks. Some more worth your time than others:
Storyboard Comparison:
Only a few scenes on each film are presented, which mostly consist of the large action sequences and complicated effects shots (like the multi-matted shot where Michael J. Fox plays multiple characters).
Trivia Track:
Tid-bits that are more or less covered in other commentaries and featurettes.
Set Ups and Pay Offs:
Very interesting to see connections that might be easily overlooked. Recommended for at least one-time viewing.
Q&A Audio Track with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale:
The most interesting commentary, even though it repeats some information from other features, but it’s the most entertaining as it contains a moderator and was filmed before a live studio audience. This was included on the previous DVD release. What’s unfortunate about these three audio tracks is that they don’t last the entire film. Part I ends twenty minutes before the end of the film; Part II ends with fifty minutes left; and Part III is merely thirty minutes long.
Feature-Length Commentary with Bob Gale and Neil Canton:
I give credit to Bob Gale who goes out of his way to imbue this commentary track with information that isn’t found elsewhere on the disc. Numerous times, he makes reference to not wanting to repeat information. Thank you, Mr. Gale. These tracks are mostly dominated by Bob Gale, while Neil Canton barely speaks – which no offense to Mr. Canton, is okay since Gale has kind of become the face of the behind-the-scenes material. The commentary tracks are very informational focusing on locations, how things were shot, and sometimes the mood on set – particularly working with Crispin Glover, Michael J. Fox’s grueling shooting schedule, and the pressures of shooting Part II and Part III simultaneously.
Disc One: Back to the Future
Deleted Scenes: (10 mins HD)
Option commentary with Bob Gale. Interesting insights into the film, but all are unnecessary to film.
New! Tales from the Future: In the Beginning…: (27 mins HD)
Part one of a six-part documentary that includes interviews with Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, Steven Speilberg, Michael J. Fox, Kathleen Kennedy, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, and other members of the cast and crew as they reflect on the inception, sale of, pre-production, production, post-production, and reception of the series. This particular entry reflects on the first versions of the script and getting the greenlight from a studio to make it.
New! Tales from the Future: Time to Go: (29 mins HD)
Part two of the six-part documentary, this focuses on the marketing, reception, some production aspects, and it’s long lasting appeal on audiences across the globe.
New! Tales from the Future: Keeping Time: (6 mins HD)
Part three turns its attention to the score and music. This strings together archival footage of Alain Silver, with new interviews with Bob Gale, Zemeckis, Kathleen Kennedy. We’re also given insights on Huey Lewis and the “Power of Love”, “Back in Time”, and ZZ Top’s “Double Back” for third installment.
Archival Features (SD)
Most of these are your run-of-the-mill extras which intertwine archival interviews into production featurettes. The retrospective documentaries are carried over from the previous DVD release here.
The Making of Back to the Future (15 mins)
Making of the Trilogy: Chapter One (16 mins)
New! Back to the Future Night: (27 mins)
This odd episode has Leslie Neilson hosting the bumpers for a prime-time showing of Back to the Future on NBC as a way to promote Back to the Future Part II. A lot of repeat interview footage.
Michael J Fox Q & A: (10 mims HD)
Great watching Fox talk about his impressions of working on the set, taking the role, and the effect that the films have had on his life.
Behind the Scenes
Original Makeup Tests (2 mins SD)
This is a feature well worth watching, if for no other reason than to get another taste of Christopher Lloyd’s brilliance.
Outtakes (2 mins HD)
New! Nuclear Test Site Sequence (4 mins HD)
Optional commentary with Bob Gale, this sequence shows the original intended ending for Part I, which would have had Doc and Marty using a nuclear test facility to harness the power of 1.21 “jig”awatts.
Photo Galleries
Huey Lewis and The News “Power of Love” Music Video (6 mins SD)
Theatrical Teaser Trailer
Disc Two: Back to the Future Part II
Deleted Scenes (6 mins HD)
Optional commentary by Bob Gale. These scenes are intriguing, but it’s awkward seeing additional footage from such a classic film and hard to imagine the film with these re-added.
New! Tales from the Future: Time Flies (29 mins HD)
Part four of the six-part documentary which highlights the amazing production design of creating Hill Valley in 2015, as well as an alternate universe in 1985, and revisiting Hill Valley in 1955. This is a great look into the detail that goes into the practical look of a film.
New! Physics of Back to the Future (9 mins HD)
This is a very left-field and much welcome interview with physicist Michio Kaku as he champions Back to the Future as the best movie about time travel.
Archival Features (SD)
Most of these are your run-of-the-mill extras which intertwine archival interviews into production featurettes. The retrospective documentaries are carried over from the previous DVD release here.
Making of Back to the Future Part II (7 mins)
Making of the Trilogy: Chapter Two (16 mins)
Behind the Scenes
Outtakes (49 secs SD)
Production design (3 mins SD)
Storyboarding (2 mins SD)
Designing the Delorean (4 mins SD)
Designing Time Travel (3 mins SD)
Hoverboard Test (1 min SD)
Evolution of visual effects shots (6 mins SD)
Photo galleries
Theatrical Trailer
Disc Three: Back to the Future Part III
Deleted Scene (1 min HD)
This is a very awkward deleted scene that really deserved no right to be in the final cut. Bob Gale has really good insight on the omission of this scene in his Optional Commentary.
New! Tales from the Future: Third Times the Charm (17 min HD)
Part five of six, this focuses mainly on the production of Back to the Future films, with more attention paid to the third installment. Mary Steenburgen lends her interviews as well as the aforementioned cast and crew.
New! Tales from the Future: Test of Time (17 min HD)
The final part of the documentary series wraps up the legacy of Back to the Future from insights with the cast and crew.
Archival Features (SD)
Most of these are your run-of-the-mill extras which intertwine archival interviews into production featurettes. The retrospective documentaries are carried over from the previous DVD release here.
Making of Back to the Future Part III (8 mins)
Making of the Trilogy: Chapter Three (17 mins)
Secrets from the Future (20 mins)
Kirk Cameron hosts a very cheesy special as he reads fan letters – that were obviously written by the studio. Again, repeat interview footage is used.
Behind the Scenes
Outtakes (2mins)
Designing the Town of Hill Valley (1 min)
Designing the Campaign (1 min)
Photo Galleries
Back to the Future: The Ride (31 mins SD)
!!! Gems like these make Blu-ray releases so special. Granted it’s only in standard definition, but this is essentially the entire experience of the Back to the Future: the Ride at Universal Studios amusement parks. It includes all of the waiting-in-line story of how Doc Brown started his time travel enterprises, Biff breaking into the facilities, and – yes! – even the footage from the ride itself! If you have a big enough TV, stand real close, turn out the lights, and jostle yourself around while watching it and it’s almost like being on the real ride!
ZZ Top “Double Back” Music Video (4 mins SD)
FAQ About Trilogy
This is an interesting frequently-asked-question section that, essentially, answers some of the potential paradoxes and other unanswered questions throughout the trilogy. It’s worth skimming through for anyone who has ever started a sentence, “Yeah, but if…”
Theatrical Trailer
Value:
It’s easy to rag on double-dip releases, especially when the bulk of the extra features are carry-overs, but the truth is after watching all that this box set has to offer, there just isn’t any information that is left out (save for the raw Eric Stoltz footage). No Back to the Future fan is going to walk away wishing for more. Besides, anyone purchasing catalogue titles is more to enjoy the films themselves, which have never looked or sounded better. The only downside to this release is its poor packaging and lack of foresight in the menu system when it comes to quickly switching between discs. But that’s easy to overlook the second you press “play”. This box set couldn’t receive a higher recommendation.
Will There Be A Double Dip?
No way. Considering the amount of time, effort, and money that has gone into this release, there will not be another upgrade until there is a different home video format. And considering there are Digital Copies of all three films included here, there’s little left to wish for. Feel free to purchase without worry!
