Saved Entirely By Its Sturdy Third Act

Rating: Null/10 (1 April 2020)

Quite a drop in quality if not so much in entertainment value, Back to the Future II picks up right where its predecessor signed off and continues the adventures of Marty & Doc as they journey into the future & past in this goofy, amusing & over-the-top sequel that surely lacks the freshness of the original yet delivers a bumpy but fun ride.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film's vision of the future is far more cartoonish than expected, and the poorly dated effects, corny treatment & exaggerated acts don't help either. It's only when they make their way back into the past again that things begins to improve and the film starts regaining its lost touch. The third act is its saving grace.
The futuristic set pieces don't exude the same level of excitement that sci-fi relics of the first film did, and the dystopian present they return to is an overkill as well. The premise is nonetheless interesting, expertly structured and the way it merges with previous chapter's events is riveting to watch. Performances are a step down this time around but still serviceable.
Overall, Back to the Future II has its share of negatives and exhibits shortcomings of its own making but it still offers a blockbuster extravaganza that many viewers won't complain about. While much more ambitious than the first film, this follow-up chapter fails to execute it all with same finesse as before, and is an inferior end product that finds its sure footing only in the final act.