Growing up in the 80s for me meant two things: an affinity for neon trousers and a strong love for the Back to the Future films. The Back to the Future Blu ray release has been hotly anticipated for some time now, and I’m happy to report that it was worth the wait.
Anyone who remembers watching movies in the 80s knows that film quality has come a long ways in thirty years. Make no mistake, the Back to the Future 25th Anniversary Blu-ray is the best quality release of the trilogy to date. While those looking for a pristine picture are sure to be disappointed, Universal has done a terrific job updating the video from the disappointing DVD releases. Expectations are key here – obviously, the discs aren’t going to hold up well against the Pixar films and Avatars of the world, but the robust colours and noticeably sharper images should be appreciated by purists. Particularly, those who owned the films on VHS or captured them from TV on their DVD recorders will be wowed by the upgrade in picture quality from previous versions. It’s a testament to director Robert Zameckis and long-time collaborator Bob Gale that these movies still hold up so well.
The true star of the show, however, is the bevy of extras included with the films. There are too many special features to list here, but below is a smattering of what’s offered:
- Tales From the Future, a six part HD documentary detailing everything from the pre-production process for the first film to the lasting cultural impact of the trilogy
- Nuclear Test Site Ending Storyboard Sequence, a look at the film’s original ending, complete with commentary
- 16 deleted scenes, all in HD and with commentary from Bob Gale
This only glosses over what is an exhaustive list of features, but rest assured no Back to the Future fan will go unsatisfied. The franchise continues to be one of the most beloved trilogies of all time, and admirers will be elated to know that Universal has treated the Blu-ray release with as much reverence as is deserved.
We may never get to see how Marty McFly and gang would have reacted to the real future (something tells me Doc Brown would be quick to check out the best deals on sat navs), but with this stellar Blu-ray edition of the trilogy, we get to see how the future treats a time-tested favourite.
