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Back to the Future Part II

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Lackluster yet benign time-travel sequel.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    One of the main characters is a greedy bully.

  • Violence & scariness:

    A character is seen shot by terrorists, but escapes injury. A bully makes several threats.

  • Sexy stuff:

    References to breast implants. Sexy girls seen in a hot tub. Both portrayed in a negative light.

  • Language:

    The "S" word is used several times.

  • Consumerism:

    Several placement ads (Nike, Pepsi, Texaco, Black & Decker, AT&T).

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Back to the Future Part II was written by Alex Orner

Parents need to know that this film is darker than the first. One of the main characters is an aggressive, ruthless bully who degrades women and makes countless physical threats. The language is also a little harsher.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about Doc and Marty's determination to set things right. The two encounter endless dilemmas yet remain resilient in their efforts. Parents could also discuss Biff's character and his selfish motives. What characteristics make Biff the villain? Conversely, what characteristics make Doc and Marty the heroes?
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More on Back to the Future Part II

What’s the Story?

Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) again team up in this sequel to the box office success Back to the Future. The film begins where the last film left off, with Marty having just returned home from his adventure in the 1950s. Doc frantically begs Marty to time travel again, only this time into the future. The duo travel to 2015 in an attempt to save Marty's future son from danger. Unfortunately, their efforts offset an even worse series of events involving bully Biff Tannen (Thomas S. Wilson) and a sports almanac. In a battle against time, Doc and Marty have to go back to 1955 to set things straight once again.
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Is It Any Good?

Although the least popular film in the trilogy, Back to the Future II does its best to hold its ground. Rarely is there a lull in the film. Unfortunately, the plot is convoluted, confusing, and makes us care little about the characters. Fox and Lloyd do have great on-screen chemistry though, and will keep audiences laughing.
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Movie Details

Studio: Universal Pictures, Director: Robert Zemeckis
Run time: 108 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/22/1989, DVD release: 10/25/1990
MPAA Rating: PG for parental guidance

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    jcpilot
    Kids ages: 9, 11
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    The language is the only downfall to the movie. Many S words.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Parent Reviewer
    jcpilot
    Kids ages: 9, 11
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    The language is the only downfall to the movie. Many S words.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Allamericanrejec ...
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Good Young Teen Movie.

    Good sequal.References to prostitutes and sex,but it will fly over kids head.The only real problem is the profanity.Awsome movie.This movie is geared more at young teens 13+.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Yangy
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Good sequel full of a confusing yet clever plot, this time into the future. Good for kids, except maybe too much swearing.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Sanjay407
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Negative message
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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