The Back to the Future trilogy has become a big part of cinematic history. It has captivated the hearts of millions, made millions in the box office and has become an icon of symbol, whilst also making stars out Michael J. Fox & Christopher Lloyd.
The trilogy has grossed over $785 million worldwide and the franchise is still making money.
In 2005, to mark the 20th anniversary of the original back to the future, Universal Studios released a special ultimate edition trilogy box set. The box set was accompanied with many extras including, storyboards, commentary, interviews, productions notes, trailers and much more. The review I give, will review the DVD box set as a whole, list its features, the story plots for each film and my own opinions about each films.

Brief synthesis:
Back to the Future 1:

In 1985, the first instalment of Back to the Future was released by Universal studios. Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is a young teenager living life up in Hill Valley, California. Visiting his eccentric scientist friend “Doc” Emit Brown (Christopher Lloyd), Marty is left with a video from Doc, asking him to meet him at the Twin Pines Mall Car park later that night, as he has something amazing to show him.
Once at the car park, Doc shows Marty a time machine DeLorian that he had created. The Flux Capacitor was thought of whilst Doc fell of the toilet seat. The time machine runs on a 1.21 gig a watt power source (Petroleum), stolen by Arab Terrorists. Unfortunately these terrorists track down Doc and shoot him, whilst Marty must escape. Whilst driving away from the terrorist, Marty exceeds the speed of 88 mph, and in doing so sends him back to the year 1955.
It is now up to Marty to track down “Doc” to help send him back to 1985, however Marty accidentally interferes with the space time continuum by interrupting the meeting of his mum and dad, which will lead to them not marrying, having kids and thus no Marty. Marty and Doc must now find a way of getting both the mother and father to interact, at the enchantment under the sea school dance, where they have their first kiss, whilst also finding a power source to generate the 1.21 gig a watt power, since Petroleum doesn’t exists.

Back to the Future Part 2:

In 1989, the sequel to Back to the Future is released. No sooner has Marty returned from the past, that he must once again go with Doc on a trip to the future, however this time Mart and Doc are accompanied by Jennifer, Marty’s girlfriend, as future events will affect them both. Travelling to 2015, Marty must stop his son from accepting the offer to rob the local bank, which will see him and his sister imprisoned. Marty also stupidly buys a book that gives the results of all the sporting events from 1985 onwards, however this book ends up in the wrong hands, which has devastating effects. Biff Tannan the book owner, becomes an instant millionaire. Marty returns to 1985, however things are not what they seem. The town of Hill Valley is rundown, run by gangs, violence and to make things worse, Marty’s mum is married to Biff. Marty and Doc must once again alter the affects of their actions in order to go back to reality.
Back to the Future 3:

In 1990, the third and final instalment of the trilogy is released. Doc Brown is accidentally sent back to the year 1885, by the events to the second film. At the end of the second film, Marty receives a letter from Doc, instructing him on where the time machine and instructions to destroy it. Whilst looking for the time machine, Marty accidentally stumbles across Doc’s gravestone, which reads died 1885, shot in the back over a matter of $80, by Buffard Tannan. Marty must once again go back to the future, to change the course of history and save Doc’s life. Whilst their Marty gets on the wrong side of a gang of outlaws, i.e. Buffard and trouble is near. Marty must save Doc, Stay out of trouble and find away to finally get home.

My thoughts on the films:

The Back to the future trilogy is one of only a few trilogies are which I can actually say were all well. Normally with a trilogy we as an audience only like the first instalment, sequel or the finale, however it is rare that all three are very well liked, in this case it stands. The films is an iconic part of any kid growing up, im sure many of you have seen this film countless number of times, and still watch it now, even though we are all grown up.

The storyline is superb; it’s simple yet very clever and allows us as viewers to use our imagination to make the film more realistic. A time travelling car that can transport you to any year, now how fun is that. There are many things that attracted me to the films, for instance the emphasis of Marty’s skateboard on all three films, and the evolution of it in each film. In the first instalment wee have the classical skateboard, however in the second and third films include the hover boards, which really fuel the imagination, and also make the actions scenes slightly more excitement. For instance in the second instalment the skateboard chase, with Marty and the Gang, which leads to Marty fleeing for safety in a Pink hover board.

The casting of characters is also brilliant. Marty McFly played by Michael J. Fox, could not be played by anyone better. His energy and excitement and his appeal to youngsters makes his character appealing. And let’s not forget Doc Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd. The character of a weird scientist is emphasised even more by the weird and wacky hair style.

Last but not least the brilliant soundtrack the films have. The first film had the song “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News. The opening soundtrack is one of those memorable songs that you again cannot forget.

DVD Features:

Besides the three films accompanied in this box set, we are also given tons of extras allowing viewers to get a closer look at the making of the film, the concept and creation of the film, theatrical trailers to name a few.
Back to the Future 1:
- The making of Back to the Future
- The making of the trilogy, chapter 1
- Feature commentary with Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale
- Outtakes
- Deleted scenes
- Did you know that? Universal Animated Anecdotes
- Original makeup tests
- Storyboard to final feature comparison
- Production archives
- Theatrical trailer

Back to the Future 2:
- Making of the Back to the Future 2
- The making of the trilogy, chapter 2
- Outtakes
- Deleted scenes
- Production archives
- Storyboards to final feature comparison
- Theatrical trailer
- Hover board tests

Back to the Future Part 3:
- Making of the Back to the Future, Part 3
- Outtakes
- Deleted scenes
- Storyboard to final feature comparison
- Production archive
- ZZ Top Music videos, double back
- Theatrical trailer
- ET, The Extra Terrestrial DVD Trailer

4th Disc, New Bonus Features:
- Audio commentaries of LIVE Q & A sessions with director Robert Zemeckis & writer / producer Bob Gale, for all three movies
- Deleted scenes from all three movies now with commentaries with Bob Gale
- The secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy
- The making of the Back to the Future part 3
- Production design
- Storyboarding
- Designing the DeLorian
- Designing the town of Hill Valley
- The evaluation of the visual effects shots
- Huey Lewis & the News “Power of Love” music video
- Excerpt from the original screenplay
- FAQ’s about the trilogy and much more

The reason I really like the special bonus features is that is allows the views to getter a much more detailed analysis of the way the films, were made, insights on characters and general questions that you thought could not be answered. It also gives some interesting facts such as;
1) The set of Hill Valley town was actually Universal Studios in Florida
2) Michael J. Fox was filming both the films and his hit TV shows at the same time

Run Time: 9hrs +
Certificate: PG
Years of Release: Back to the Future (1985), Back to the Future 2 (1989), back to the Future 3 (1990)
DVD release date: 2005

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover,
Tomas F. Wilson, Claudia Wells, James Tolkan, Elisabeth Shue, Jeffery Weissman, Mary Steenburgen.