--- title: "Back to the Future: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future" critics_score: 84 critics_reviews: 19 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Back to the Future (1985): what the critics said Critics' score 84 from 19 reviews: 18 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative. Almost every critic recommends it, and the praise lands in the same two places. The first is the script: reviewers keep returning to how tightly it is plotted, how every set-up is paid off and how neatly it handles the paradoxes of a boy meeting his parents as teenagers. The second is the pairing of Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, with Fox’s charm and Lloyd’s mad scientist singled out again and again. Robert Zemeckis is credited with keeping the effects in service of the story, and more than one critic reaches for Frank Capra to describe its sweetness. Reviews written for later re-releases say it has aged well. Reservations are few. Variety thinks the opening is shaky, and The Guardian finds it playful rather than biting. The single negative review comes from the Los Angeles Times in 1985, which calls it cartoonish and empty, its premise underdeveloped and overproduced. Nobody writing since has agreed. ## The Times — Tom Shone Rating ★★★★★. 30 May 2020. The critic calls it an exquisite piece of narrative clockwork and one of the most intricately plotted films in modern cinema. They single out the friendship between Marty and Doc Brown, highlighted by Christopher Lloyd's deliriously enjoyable performance. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/classic-films-mad-max-fury-road-and-back-to-the-future-2w3pccbqt) ## Empire — Adam Smith Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 1985. The critic calls the film an almost perfectly wrought slice of old-fashioned escapist fantasy that transcends its era, crediting the script's deft handling of time-travel paradoxes and Michael J. Fox's towering charm as the standout elements. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/back-future-review/) ## Radio Times — John Ferguson Rating 5 out of 5 stars. The critic praises the irresistible combination of dazzling special effects and sly comedy that propelled the leads and director, along with the ingenious script and adroit direction that balances effects and story. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-7e09lf/back-to-the-future/) ## Slant Magazine — Eric Henderson Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 25 February 2009. The film is a rare big-budget entertainment that has improved with time thanks to its logistically perfect screenplay and subtle mockery of 1980s political pretensions. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/back-to-the-future-dvd/) ## The Hollywood Reporter Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 July 1985. The film is a high-octane, whiz-bang time-travel adventure that should deliver strong box office. Zemeckis's direction brings human comedy to the high-tech premise, with Christopher Lloyd's scene-stealing mad scientist performance standing out. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/back-future-review-1985-movie-801103/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 July 1985. The film takes a sweet, ingenious premise about a boy traveling back to his parents' youth and runs with it inventively. Zemeckis keeps the story moving without going too far, anchoring it in family history with wit and a well-groomed 1950s look. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/03/movies/film-back-to-the-future.html) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 5 out of 5 stars. 19 October 2015. The critic calls the film pretty much perfect and notes that time has not blunted its fresh wit, Capraesque sweetness, effortless storytelling or charming performances. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/back-to-the-future-1985) ## Total Film — Matt Glasby Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 September 2010. The critic finds the film just as entertaining on its 25th anniversary re-release as in 1985, praising its watertight scripting, broad but brilliant performances and Fox’s charm. They single out the raunchier elements and witty asides for note while observing that it gazes lovingly backwards at a charmingly rendered 1950s. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/back-to-the-future-1-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3.5/4. 3 July 1985. The critic praises the film's inventive time-travel premise and comic surprises, noting how it allows the protagonist to help his parents as teenagers. He highlights director Robert Zemeckis's lighthearted humanism, comparing it favorably to Frank Capra's work. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/back-to-the-future-1985) ## The AV Club — Tom Breihan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 May 2020. The piece celebrates the film as timeless blockbuster fun that has aged remarkably well, crediting its script's narrative tricks and momentum. It singles out the clever handling of 1950s and 1980s nostalgia alongside strong performances and effects. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/though-set-in-two-bygone-eras-back-to-the-future-is-ti-1843055951) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 24 December 2014. The critic praises it as pure entertainment of the highest order, with tight plotting, witty scripting and pacy direction that sweeps the viewer along. They single out the intricate interplay between past and future, along with Michael J Fox's uniquely energetic charm in the lead role. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11168824/Back-to-the-Future-review.html) ## The Guardian — Derek Malcolm Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 August 1985. Festival review. The Spielberg-produced, Zemeckis-directed time-travel comedy about a teen meeting his parents as teenagers is highly entertaining, with sentiment from Spielberg and acid from Zemeckis. It features a memorable unknowing-incest sequence but remains essentially light and playful rather than biting. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/from-the-archive-blog/2015/oct/21/back-to-the-future-derek-malcolm-review-1985) ## Variety — Ray Loynd Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 June 1985. Once past a shaky opening, this time-travel odyssey accelerates with wit, ideas and infectious wonder. The scenario's central elements—hurling the audience back to 1955 for pop-culture humor and delivering a 1985 teen to his parents' doorstep—make it a winner. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1985/film/news/film-review-back-to-the-future-1201344694/) ## Los Angeles Times — Sheila Benson Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 3 July 1985. The film is big, cartoonish and empty, with an interesting premise that is underdeveloped and overproduced. It fails to make the most of its time-travel concept despite connections to Spielberg. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-archive-back-to-future-review-19850703-story.html) ## Den of Geek — Seb Patrick Rating 5/5. 27 September 2010. The re-release confirms the film as a masterpiece of cinema and expertly crafted crowd-pleaser whose set pieces remain thrilling decades later. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/back-to-the-future-review-2/) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 September 2010. The critic calls the film a practically flawless picture and the decade's crown jewel in popcorn cinema, still fresh and exhilarating on re-release. They single out the seamless blend of action, comedy and human drama, along with the performances of Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a266787/back-to-the-future/) ## Eye for Film — Stephen Carty Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 November 2008. The critic calls it one of the most deservedly popular movies in cinema history, praising its brilliant script, excellent performances, wonderful score, inspirational ideas, and many memorable moments that have stood the test of time. [Read the review](https://eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/back-to-the-future-film-review-by-stephen-carty) ## Collider — Andre Dellamorte Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 27 October 2010. The first film is a crackerjack piece of entertainment. The transfers and extras make the Blu-ray trilogy set worth an upgrade for fans. [Read the review](https://collider.com/back-to-the-future-trilogy-blu-ray-review/) ## NME — NME Blog Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2010. The film remains beloved for its perfectly executed plot full of set-ups and pay-offs along with its quotable comedy and enduring charm that transcends nostalgia. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/blogs/the-movies-blog/twenty-five-years-on-why-everyone-still-loves-back-to-the-future-40529) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future.md