Folks, I've said many, many, many times in this space that it's incredibly difficult -- damn near impossible, if you will -- to blend Comedy and Science Fiction seamlessly.
Honestly, it just doesn't happen all that often. Some of this is owed to the fact that both genres do have their own respective requirements, and those separate elements don't often merge together without a bit of push and shove in some places. Forced humor? Ach. It never works. Never mind the fact that making a movie is already an incredible number of movie parts -- from writing, design, casting, directing, etc. -- but to also add into this elaborate puzzle the narrative requirements of two types of film just tends to push this thing into overdrive. It's a rare occurrence when it's done so well that the flick can become a box office sensation, but Back To The Future went a step further, creating an all-new franchise that continues to resonate with fans old and new each and every time it's given release. That truly is remarkable.
And from the reading I've done into the film, this isn't to say that it didn't have a respectful number of challenges to overcome in the process. Every story -- in going from a simple idea to a finished product -- endures a number of obstacles that serve to derail it at any point in the process. Back To The Future had its own as well -- including casting and scripting hiccups that had to be overcome -- and I've got nothing to say but "hats off" to the folks who rode this one out. Perhaps they knew going in that they had something special, but to produce an intellectual property that decades later is still relevant and funny is no small feat.
I promise that -- at some point -- I'll sit down and pen a little 'something something' about the film in this space. It's one of those that I truly love, and I probably do have a few words that might tell you why it holds a special place in my heart and mind. It's a vastly more personal story than ones I often spin for SciFiHistory.Net, but I think -- if and when I tell it -- you'll come to understand just how deeply my love of film goes.
Honestly, it just doesn't happen all that often. Some of this is owed to the fact that both genres do have their own respective requirements, and those separate elements don't often merge together without a bit of push and shove in some places. Forced humor? Ach. It never works. Never mind the fact that making a movie is already an incredible number of movie parts -- from writing, design, casting, directing, etc. -- but to also add into this elaborate puzzle the narrative requirements of two types of film just tends to push this thing into overdrive. It's a rare occurrence when it's done so well that the flick can become a box office sensation, but Back To The Future went a step further, creating an all-new franchise that continues to resonate with fans old and new each and every time it's given release. That truly is remarkable.
And from the reading I've done into the film, this isn't to say that it didn't have a respectful number of challenges to overcome in the process. Every story -- in going from a simple idea to a finished product -- endures a number of obstacles that serve to derail it at any point in the process. Back To The Future had its own as well -- including casting and scripting hiccups that had to be overcome -- and I've got nothing to say but "hats off" to the folks who rode this one out. Perhaps they knew going in that they had something special, but to produce an intellectual property that decades later is still relevant and funny is no small feat.
I promise that -- at some point -- I'll sit down and pen a little 'something something' about the film in this space. It's one of those that I truly love, and I probably do have a few words that might tell you why it holds a special place in my heart and mind. It's a vastly more personal story than ones I often spin for SciFiHistory.Net, but I think -- if and when I tell it -- you'll come to understand just how deeply my love of film goes.
Unquestionably, I think one of the greatest honors bestowed upon Back To The Future is the fact that -- in 2007 -- it was inducted into the U.S. National Film Registry.
For those unaware, the National Film Registry is the part of America's Library of Congress that seeks to preserve only the productions that have demonstrated some lasting artistic, cultural, or aesthetic contribution to film as a medium of art. Given the fact that our cultural betters tend to look down their noses at Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror releases in general, I find it exciting to know that even they can't dismiss the 'Power Of Love' that's displayed so winning in each and every frame of Back To The Future. Having such a perfect experience standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of film's finest should be reward enough to last a lifetime.
For those unaware, the National Film Registry is the part of America's Library of Congress that seeks to preserve only the productions that have demonstrated some lasting artistic, cultural, or aesthetic contribution to film as a medium of art. Given the fact that our cultural betters tend to look down their noses at Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror releases in general, I find it exciting to know that even they can't dismiss the 'Power Of Love' that's displayed so winning in each and every frame of Back To The Future. Having such a perfect experience standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of film's finest should be reward enough to last a lifetime.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
-- EZ
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