New York Times Review
This review is written by Janet Maslin. The sub-heading sets off the full length review and implicitly suggests that this is a time-travel film therefore referring to the science-fiction genre.
The reviewer in the first paragraph starts writing about the director (Robert Zemeckis) and the characters in his previous films. She also adds the story lines that his previous films usually have and quotes them. "Mr. Zemeckis, together with his screenwriting partner Bob Gale, has progressed from teen-age kamikazes willing to risk anything to meet the Beatles (''I Wanna Hold Your Hand,'') to salesmen..." The opening paragraph is written in a formal mode of address and uses words that the target audience might not be familiar with like 'kamikazes'. However the references to the director's previous films will appeal to those who know of him and his work.
In this paragraph, Maslin starts to review 'Back to the Future' and continues praising the director for the work on this particular film then briefly explains the narrative. "Mr. Zemeckis has now gone himself one better with ''Back to the Future,'' about a boy who wonders..."
Then Maslin writes about the details surrounding the release of the film. ""Back to the Future,'' which opens today at Loew's State and other theaters..." then quickly talks about the narrative of the film. The review's mode of address changes and it is written in a humourous tone to reflect the film's sub-genre which is comedy. In doing this, the reviewer praises the director for keeping the narrative along "But Mr. Zemeckis is able both to keep the story moving and to keep it from going too far." and predicts good things or him in the future as a result of this film. "He handles ''Back to the Future'' with the kind of inventiveness that indicates he will be spinning funny, whimsical tall tales for a long time to come."
This paragraph focuses a lot about the narrative of the film but in more detail. He talks about the main character's (Marty McFly) performance and includes his real name in brackets, so the audience who are familiar with him are attracted to watching this film. "Once Marty (played winningly by Michael J. Fox) steps into the specially equipped DeLorean..." Also there is a quote written in brackets to link to the review and this again is written for comedic effect. "The local soda jerk thinks anyone who orders a Pepsi Free (''If you want a Pepsi you gotta pay for it!'') is being a wise guy." This paragraph refers to the science-fiction genre by writing about the use of time-travel when describing certain scenes and the differences in time.
The reviewer then talks about the mise-en-scene in particular the location and set design and how this contributed to achieving a time travel film. It was essential that the differences of the present day and the past were evident in order to achieve this. "While keeping the film well stocked with similar witticisms and giving the production the muted, well-groomed look of 1950's advertising and television..." The paragraph ends with Maslin mentioning the other characters and praising particular actors on their performances. "Dad (Crispin Glover) is a nerd, while Mother (Lea Thompson) is a demure beauty; it should be noted that Mr. Glover and Miss Thompson are funny and credible both as parents and as teen-agers."
The next paragraph continues to explain the narrative and the characters in Back to the Future. "But there is a danger that they will never meet, particularly since Marty's arrival has permanently altered their history. This, and Marty's decade-hopping rapport with the mad scientist (Christopher Lloyd) whose DeLorean he borrowed" Maslin hints the end of the film by saying "it still manages to end with a surprise." The mode of address is something that the target audience can appeal to because it evokes their curiosity and makes them want to watch the film.
The review closes with the reviewer summarising how the film makes you feel and what it achieves. "One of the most appealing things about ''Back to the Future'' is its way of putting nostalgia gently in perspective." She continues by taking this idea to praise the director again. "Like Marty, Mr. Zemeckis takes a bemused but unsentimental view of times gone by. And he seems no less fascinated by the future, which is understandable. His own looks very bright."
Before the actual review begins, the reviewer Adam Smith briefly explains the narrative under one of the headings (Plot). He explains it uses standard English that the general reader is used to reading. The mode of address is simple therefore easier to understand which the target audience can appreciate. "Marty McFly helps out his friend Doc Brown, and ends up being taken back in time by Doc's time-machine. Marty, a boy of the 80's, has to come to grips with being in the 50's and get his parents to fall in love to set straight the damage his presence has done to the events of the past."
The next paragraph continues talking about the casting issues and mentions an actor the director wanted for the role and why. This is information that the target audience can appreciate because it shows that the decision was based on the influence of the those who would consume the film and make it money. He mentions the actor, Michael J. Fox and his work on a TV show that the target audience would be familiar with. "To make matters worse he'd seen a young actor perfect for the role. Michael J. Fox, then the star of TV sitcom Family Ties radiated youthful joie de vivre and frankly, for a movie with a solid teen base, was just gosh-darned cuter." However the tone of the review slightly changes, as Smith uses more advanced vocabulary like 'joie de vivre' which is French for enthusiasm and this is something the general reader wouldn't be so familiar with. The review continues talking about the decisions surrounding the casting then moves on to talk about the genre and praises an actor, most likely the protangonist for his work in Back to the Future. "An almost perfectly wrought slice of old fashioned escapist fantasy, it not only announced the celluloid arrival of the finest light-comedy actor of his generation..." The reviewer talks about the film's time of release and uses humour and popular culture. The mode of address eases the readers. "...one of the very few films made in the avaricious, style-challenged 80s that transcended and survived the ugly extremes of its era (skintight stonewashed jeans which, one unkind critic remarked, "look like they've been masturbated over by a troupe of boy scouts" excepted) and which remains an utterly beguiling little gem."
Smith praises the director and
briefly outlines the genre. He uses academic language and the mode of address
is quite formal even though the film is targeted for teenagers. "Among the plethora of innocent charms on offer, there's the near perfect script by Zemekis and Bob Gale which not only negotiates its time travel paradoxes with deft, exuberant wit but invests the light-hearted plot machinations with a seasoning note of honest drama..." When he explains the genre, he describes a scene in the film to support his review. This informs the target audience of the film consists of so that they are aware if they go and watch it. "(Doc's death within the first 10 minutes throws the comedy into pleasing relief and provides welcome dramatic release when we find, at the end, that the worst isn't true). "
In this paragraph, the reviewer describes some of the key moments in the film "...a plethora of memorable set-pieces — Marty's premature invention of the skateboard as he rips the top of a young kid's box-cart; his introduction of rock 'n' roll which develops into an anachronistic, Hendrix-style guitar solo ("Maybe you're not ready for that," McFly admits, "but trust me, your kids are going to love it.")" Smith uses another quote from the actual film
to explain the film and support his review. Also this is used to create a informal mode of address for
humour and appeals to the target audience.
Smith talks about the impact of Michael J. Fox's performance as Marty, claiming that he is the "heart of Back To The Future". Smith uses a quote from the film said by Fox ("Why can't they just call me short?") and uses this for comedic effect. "Fox established himself here as quite simply the most charming screen presence of the 80s."
The review concludes with a verdict under the heading (Verdict). "To put it bluntly: if you don't like Back To The Future, it's difficult to believe that you like films at all."
