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Back to the Future Part II poster

Back to the Future Part II

year 1989decade 80sdirector Robert Zemeckisgenre Science fictiongenre Fantasy

108 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Michael J. Fox Marty McFly / Marty McFly Junior / Marlene McFly
Christopher Lloyd Doctor Emmett Brown
Lea Thompson Lorraine
Thomas F. Wilson Biff Tannen / Griff
James Tolkan Strickland
Jeffrey Weissman George McFly
Billy Zane Match
J. J. Cohen Skinhead
Harry Waters, Jr. Marvin Berry
Joe Flaherty Western Union man
Flea Needles
Elisabeth Shue Jennifer
E. Casanova Evans Michael Jackson
Jay Koch Ronald Reagan
Charles Gherardi Ayatollah Khomeini
Elijah Wood Video game boy
John Thornton Video game boy
Theo Schwartz Hoverboard girl
Lindsey Barry Hoverboard girl
Judy Ovitz Antique store saleswoman
Stephanie E. Williams Officer Foley
Marty Levy Cab driver
James Ishida Fujitsu
Nikki Birdsong Loretta
Al White Dad
Shaun Hunter Harold
Neil Ross Museum narrator
Tamara Carrera Jacuzzi girl
Tracy D'Aldia Jacuzzi girl
John Erwin Radio sportscaster
Wesley Mann CPR kid
Crispin Glover George McFly in footage from Back to the Future

Back to the Future Part II | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Cousin Salproducer Craig Horlbeck
Explore episodeClose episode

Most Rewatchable Scene

1955 almanac retrieval and chase; Cafe 80s; future McFly dinner.

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:35:41Read transcript
  • The opening remake of the original ending is rejected after a clarification distinguishes it from the final half-hour.
  • Marty's future shoes, Hill Valley, Cafe 80s and hoverboard chase form a strong opening stretch, especially the cafe's celebrity waiters and failed distraction of Griff.
  • Marty buys the almanac and Doc rejects using time travel for financial gain.
  • Marty returns to the corrupted 1985 and encounters Biff's casino empire.
  • Marty confronts Biff about the almanac; this wealthy Biff is praised as perhaps the best incarnation.
  • Old Biff demonstrates the almanac to young Biff with the UCLA score.
  • The two Docs' brief weather conversation is especially fun.
  • Two hosts choose the extended 1955 almanac retrieval, dance recreation and car chase, praising familiar scenes restaged from new viewpoints.
  • Another host prefers Cafe 80s and adds the failed future McFly family dinner, including the descending fruit tray and Fox's multiple roles.

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Tom Wilson as Griff; Lea Thompson’s Lorraine is runner-up.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:41:31Read transcript
  • The elderly 2015 Biff is flagged in advance as the obvious overacting contender.
  • Griff is the clear main choice, with Tom Wilson given excessive latitude and the character judged irritating rather than enjoyably villainous.
  • Lorraine in the casino is the runner-up, compared with Sharon Stone's hysteria in Casino.

What’s Aged the Best?

Future predictions, Silvestri’s score, Nike shoes, Jaws 19 and the jokes.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:45Read transcript
  • The successful future predictions and Spielberg's presenting credit.
  • Alan Silvestri's score, also remembered from the Universal tour.
  • The lack of chemistry or purpose for Jennifer is perversely funny: she is quickly tranquilized, and Zemeckis regretted putting her in the car.
  • A comic approach to the future and the Nike shoe concept's eventual commercial influence.
  • The Jaws 19 trailer's absurd premise and Max Spielberg credit.
  • Fox looked better in real 2015 than the film's aged Marty; the future jokes and the insult slacker still work.

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Hoverboard tracking shots; the approaching tunnel during the car chase.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:53Read transcript
  • The hoverboard chase, especially tracking behind the board, impresses for its practical harness work.
  • The approaching tunnel while Marty hangs onto the car is an effective danger image, also suggested for Aged Best.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Exposition-heavy Marty, the premise, older teenage actors, Pepsi, Fox as his daughter and the Part III trailer.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:31Read transcript
  • The formerly groundbreaking multiple-role compositing no longer seems remarkable.
  • Marty becomes a nerdy assistant to exposition rather than the original's rebellious rocker, echoing a Jonathan Rosenbaum review.
  • The premise could be solved with therapy for Marty's chicken-triggered insecurity and keeping his family away from the Tannens.
  • Fox and Shue are too old for teenagers; the film also contains too much Pepsi.
  • Fox playing his daughter is strange and unnecessary; Justine Bateman would have made a funnier casting joke.
  • Miami in the American League and the Part III trailer ending.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Real hoverboards and Slamball; Marty is Biff’s son; Lloyd alone carries the acting.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:28Read transcript
  • Real hoverboards should be released to lure young people away from screens, despite safety objections and existing wheeled devices using the name.
  • Marty could be Biff's son, sharing his temper rather than George's timidity; this would make a better Part III twist than the Western.
  • The unrealized anti-gravity Slamball concept combining jai alai, handball and roller derby should become a real sport.
  • Craig says Christopher Lloyd is the only good actor in the movie and carries it; the others agree Fox and Thompson are less effective here than in the original. — Craig Horlbeck

Apex Mountain

Sports almanacs; Tom Wilson; Jeffrey Weissman; Oh LàLà magazine; D. Jones Manure Hauling; hoverboards.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:06Read transcript
  • Fox, Thompson, Shue, Beat It and Zemeckis are rejected. Sports almanacs receive an unequivocal yes.
  • Mr. Sandman loses to Halloween II; time-travel movies lose to the original Back to the Future.
  • Tom Wilson is affirmed for his multiple roles, with no later rival identified.
  • The fictional 2015 loses to the actual year's Fox-Lloyd reunion for Sal.
  • Jeffrey Weissman, Oh LàLà magazine, D. Jones Manure Hauling and hoverboards are affirmed.
  • Sports-gambling movies receive an initial yes, then debate includes The Gambler, Two for the Money, The Hustler, Rounders, Focus and Uncut Gems without a settled conclusion.

Cruise or Hanks?

Hanks.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:58Read transcript
  • Hanks wins for Marty because Cruise is considered too intense; one host argues the young Cruise would be perfect, but the Big-era Hanks comparison prevails.

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A new teenage Marty with Bill Hader as Doc; Goldie Wilson spinoff.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:15Read transcript
  • A new version could revisit 1985 or the grunge era; Tom Holland with Bill Hader is proposed, then an unknown actual teenager is preferred for Marty while Hader remains the Doc choice.
  • A Goldie Wilson spinoff fighting Biff's gambling policy is floated; a modern remake might face moral criticism for fixing family problems instead of national tragedies.

Just One Oscar

Score; visual effects; Tom Wilson for supporting actor.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:57Read transcript
  • The score, visual effects and Tom Wilson's supporting performance are nominated; the actual effects and supporting-actor competition was strong.

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Hoverboard, Nike Mags, heated jacket or sports almanac.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:35Read transcript
  • Original hoverboard, Nike Mags, self-heating jacket and sports almanac; the DeLorean is excluded. Shoes appeal for resale value, while almanac auction prices are cited around $45,000–50,000.