Back to the Future

[Pieter Boelen 633]

Every few days I will post a thread on a random score from my collection that we can discuss and rate. I made a playlist on my computer with one track of each score I've got, so by using the random play option, I'll be able to post a truly random score each time. Hopefully this will allow us to discuss some scores that would otherwise never be discussed. Also we can record the rating so that we can create a full list of the ratings given to scores by JWFan.com.

Today's score is Back to the Future. You can rate both the score by Alan Silvestri and the film.

Are you familiar with it? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it? How do do you think it works in the film? What are your favourite tracks?

Please don't base your opinion on the OST release.

So far JWFan has rated:

See Soundtrack Ratings by JWFan.com.

This web page contains the ratings from all my previous polls as well as those of Blumenkohl's.

Final ratings are converted to a 1-10 rating for both rating systems so that they can be compared.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,765]

Music as written for the film: *****

Music as heard in the film: ****

Music as heard on MCA album: **

Music as heard on bootleg album: **

Overall: ****

[Bryant Burnette 451]

movie = 4.5

score = 4

Good stuff all the way around.

[Dean1700 4]

Meanwhile, we're all growing old waiting for this score to be given a right royal treatment it deserves.

[Ollie 859]

I give both film and score a 4.

The score is way over due for a release but.

[MrScratch 292]

Film 5

Score 4

The movie is a perfect mix of action suspense and comedy. The screenplay is one of the greatest ever written. I've always thought that the George & Lorraine kiss is one of the best in movie history, great moment that the whole movie leads up to. The score works well within the film and as a standalone listen.

[Morlock 9]

3.5 for both.

[Pieter Boelen 633]

4,5 stars on both accounts from me.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

Score 2 stars,

Film 3 out of 5 stars. Not nearly as great as its made out to be. To me this isn't a classic, its just a good movie.

[John Crichton 4]

4

The main theme is rightly legendary, and the score does everything it sets out to do pretty much perfectly. On my last few listens I've become a big fan of that "twinkling" motif Silvestri uses for the mystery and just plain weirdness of time travel, it creates just the right atmosphere. But even with all that, there's just not that next level of "oomph" to rate it higher.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

4 for both.

[Romão 1,931]

The movie hasn't aged a single day, it sill is one of the best entertainment movies, to which I cannot possibly give any less than 5 stars. It was one of those moments when the stars aligned.

[Quintus 5,391]

5 and 5. One of the greatest family movie's ever made.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Both 4 stars.

Both good, but both a bit overrated.

[Red 73]

4.5 for both movie and score.

[Erik Woods 384]

Both film and score are masterpieces. Silvestri's score, IMHO, is one of the ten best ever composed!

-Erik-

[MrScratch 292]

Both good, but both a bit overrated.

I think people think more highly of the score than they would if it were readily available. It's not a masterpiece by any means just a very good score, but its forbidden fruit status makes it seem better than it actually is.

[Erik Woods 384]

Both good, but both a bit overrated.

I think people think more highly of the score than they would if it were readily available. It's not a masterpiece by any means just a very good score, but its forbidden fruit status makes it seem better than it actually is.

I disagree! It's a fantastic score, it's perfectly spotted and there isn't one note out of place. The score perfectly enhances the film - Silvestri went above and beyond when writing the score - and it helped make a already great movie into the brilliant film that it is now. It's a dramatic, mysterious and thrilling score with a wonderful sense of humour. Our rankings have nothing to do with it's availability. Also, we can't forget the unforgettable tunes in the movie as well. You don't see too many film these days with both a brilliant songtrack and a brilliant score.

-Erik-

[JoeinAR 1,759]

I cannot for the life of me remember it at all, but I can remember the Huey Lewis song.

[Delorean90 32]

Film: 5

Score: 4.5

I very nearly gave it a 5, although in remembering the score and reading Erik's posts I almost want to bump it up there. It's certainly amazing scoring. Really, I think I didn't give it a 5 because it's a shorter score, and I tend to equate 5 star scores with mammoth magnum opuses like E.T. and Star Wars. But when I think of it, it fulfills both of my criteria for a great score masterfully: it enhances and supports the film (perfectly, as Erik pointed out), and it is great music on its own. "The Clocktower" is a classic cue both in the film and on its own. The bit where Marty gets the Delorean to come back and speeds down the road is one of the finest moments of film scoring, although the whole sequence is exemplary. The "Earth Angel" scene is terrific as well, definitely a highlight of the matching of film and music. Even though I can't officially change my vote, my vote is now this:

Film: 5

Score: 5

And the sequel scores are fairly underrated as well. Even though BTTF II has its issue of reusage (and even that is intelligently done, much of the time paralleling the repeating events musically as the events in the story parallel from year to year), it also has some fine original cues, two of my favorites being unreleased: "Going Back," for the scene in which they go back to alternate 1985), and "The Wrong Year," the following cue where Marty walks around the neighborhood. Some nice ominous brass phrases there. I love the 1985-A motif's reprise when Marty goes to the cemetery, in "My Father!". "Tunnel Chase" is also some classic Silvestri action music, and I can't forget the wonderful energy of the "Main Title" cue. III has even more standout original material, including the fine Western Theme and Love Theme. "The Train" is another fantastic bit of scoring by Silvestri, both excitingly complementing the action and providing an exhilirating listen on CD. The whole trilogy really deserves complete releases.

[Quintus 5,391]

Both good, but both a bit overrated.

I think people think more highly of the score than they would if it were readily available. It's not a masterpiece by any means just a very good score, but its forbidden fruit status makes it seem better than it actually is.

*Sigh* (<--- I hate having to do that online). You are wrong. I have what I want from that score, because what I like from the score is readily available. "Forbidden fruit blah blah blah"... My arse. I have the ost. It's sufficient and it's brilliant.

I cannot for the life of me remember it at all

First signs...

[Henry B 49]

Both good, but both a bit overrated.

I think people think more highly of the score than they would if it were readily available. It's not a masterpiece by any means just a very good score, but its forbidden fruit status makes it seem better than it actually is.

*Sigh* (<--- I hate having to do that online). You are wrong. I have what I want from that score, because what I like from the score is readily available. "Forbidden fruit blah blah blah"... My arse. I have the ost. It's sufficient and it's brilliant.

So just the overture? I think this is a discussion thread for the soundtrack, not the songtrack.

[Quintus 5,391]

Huh? You don't think anything; you know this is about the score and not some songtrack. As do I.

[MrScratch 292]

He's referring to this:

I have the ost. It's sufficient and it's brilliant.

[Henry B 49]

I'm completely confused, then. You're saying, Quint, that the OST is a representation of what you like from the score. But the OST only features the overture.

[indy4 152]

Film: 5, a true masterpiece. It is hilarious, it is ingenious, it is sweet, it is exciting, it is everything you could ever want in a film. Zemeckis really hit a gram slam here.

Score: 3.5. I really want to own a copy of the official full score, as it has some great moments. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, but it is still very good.

[Quintus 5,391]

I'm completely confused, then. You're saying, Quint, that the OST is a representation of what you like from the score. But the OST only features the overture.

If you're speaking of the ost, as in the official retail release album, which features the overture, then you would be right. But I'm talking about the original soundtrack as I have it, which features most of the Silvestri score. If the accepted jargon in this matter caused the confusion, then I apologise. Forgive me for not being down with the film score jargon and it's definitions.

Film: 5, a true masterpiece. It is hilarious, it is ingenious, it is sweet, it is exciting, it is everything you could ever want in a film. Zemeckis really hit a gram slam here.

Exactly.

[Henry B 49]

Yeah, "OST" generally refers to the commercial score or song album. Glad we cleared that up.

[Quintus 5,391]

Agreed. But my point still stands with Scratch.

[odnurega1 0]

Score = 4.5 stars

Film = 5 stars

[MrScratch 292]

Agreed. But my point still stands with Scratch.

That's Mr. Scratch to you!

[ChuckM 1]

My favorite movie. Period.

Also one of my favorite scores.

5 for both.

Edit: did someone seriously vote "I'm not familiar with this film"?

What is this world coming to?!!

[Richard Penna 2,082]

One of my favourite movies, 5 stars.

4 stars for the score. I like the OST as well, most of the songs on there are quite good and fit with the film very well IMO.

I won't second your 'what's this world coming to' as there are quite a lot of classic movies I've never seen and not entirely proud of...

[Salacius 7]

5 and 5

One of Silvestri's finest and an awesome film!!

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

Not familiar enough with the score outside the fabulous main theme to rate it. The movie is kickass though

[Pieter Boelen 633]

Edit: did someone seriously vote "I'm not familiar with this film"?

What is this world coming to?!!

I wasn't familiar with the films until a few years ago. Same thing for Indiana Jones and Star Wars.

Recently I have been trying to catch up with a fair amount of classics and other well-known films.