backfuture3

The final adventure in time in the Back to the Future series sends Marty McFly back 100 years to
1885 and the Old West. When we last left Marty, he was stuck in 1955 when a random bolt of
lightning sent Doc and the DeLorean to 1885. With the help of the young Doc Brown in 1955,
Marty discovers that the DeLorean time machine has been left in a cave for Marty to find and
repair. At the same time, 1955 Doc and Marty learn that 1985 Doc will die mere weeks after
arriving in 1885. Marty vows to take the DeLorean to 1885 and bring Doc back to the future
against 1985 Doc’s wishes that no more time travel occur. OK, is everyone with me so far?

I know, I know, it all sounds very confusing. But watch them in order and it all makes perfect
sense. This final chapter, like so many third chapters in trilogies, mimics the original film. Just as
“Return of the Jedi” mimics “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” is a vague clone
of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” the third and final part of Marty’s time travel escapades finds him in a
similar predicament to the original.

The DeLorean’s fuel line gets busted upon arriving in the Hill Valley of 1885 and without gasoline
he can’t get himself or Doc back to the future. Time is running out, for it will only be a few days and
Doc will be gunned down by Mad Dog Tannen, Biff’s ancestor. Upon hearing this news, Doc is
immediately determined to solve the problem, but he inadvertently screws up the past by saving the
life of the new schoolteacher, played by Mary Steenburgen, and they are smitten with one another.
Doc knows he has to leave, but he doesn’t want to go.

“Back to the Future: Part III” isn’t a bad movie. However, because of its more linear story, it lacks
the complicated excitement of the second chapter and, being a copy of the first, lacks the
freshness of the original. At the same time, Christopher Lloyd isn’t as humorous because he’s too
busy being in love with Clara, played by Steenburgen.

Michael J. Fox has relatively little to do in this film besides continually reminding Doc of their need
to get back to the future. Well, I take that back. He also inadvertently gets in Mad Dog’s way and
in saving Doc from death, becomes the intended victim of Mad Dog’s rage.

There’s a nice subplot involving Marty’s ancestors and the importance of knowing when to fight and
when to step away. Doc’s romance with Clara is a nice change of pace, but it waters down the Doc
we know and love.

The climax of the film involves a crazy and often cartoon-like chase on a speeding locomotive.
Parts of it work, other parts don’t. Most of it is forgivable. What makes this film fun is the many
ways it references classic Westerns, namely the spaghetti Westerns with Clint Eastwood. Marty’s
costume is a dead ringer for Eastwood’s duds and he borrows a few gun fighting tricks from the
Man With No Name.

A little syrupy in places, but certainly a solid conclusion to a great series, “Back to the Future: Part
III” is a great trip in time.