My fellow time travellers and time travel enthusiasts! ’tis 2015 – the year that Back to the Future 2 predicted and depicted!
Before I begin, I would like to make it clear, in the defence of Back to the Future‘s creators, that the 2015 shown is merely a possible future. In the same film, we see how easily it can be changed. Therefore, perhaps their prediction is totally accurate, just not the reality that came to be.
Now, I know there are many angry fans who are aware of the lack of hover boards and flying cars. But don’t get fangry. I’m sure we’ll get what we were promised. One day.
In the movie, they showed October 21st, 2015. So we do still have some time up our sleeves to make all our dreams come true. But let’s see how accurate they have been so far…
They got these right:
Phones in our glasses
We have Google Glass.
Self-service
Just as Marty ordered a Pepsi at the cafe via a screen, we have self-service check-outs in many of our supermarkets.
(Axing minimum wage jobs for your convenience.)
Voice-activated devices
We have voice activated phones and Xboxes.
Thumb print plates
They exist. No jokes. I wouldn’t be surprised if they catch on to residential use soon.
Video calling
We have Skype. Also, I noticed that, like Facebook, the video call showed details of the caller including their likes and dislikes.
Drones
I’m not sure what they are called in the movie, but they are seen documenting Griff’s hover board crash. Today the police force use drones, at least in the US.
Home automation systems
They are actually here. You can link the system to your smart tablet, meaning you can adjust the temperature and turn on devices remotely – even from work. Voice controlled systems are also available.
3d holographic adverts
Now, this one is on the fence for me. We have been able to create Michael Jackson as a hologram on stage, but what about an almost interactive one in broad daylight… What do you reckon?
Although, I feel like we’ll still be waiting a few more years for these developments:
Hover boards
Man, I am so bummed-out about this. I have seen a spoof featuring Tony Hawk, despite fooling many (including me), it is in fact fake. Hover boards do not exist, bar a magnetic one that hovers a few inches for 7 minutes, but obviously confined to metal floors.
Flying cars
I reckon the Google driverless cars will replace the automobile of today before we even begin to think about making them fly. Like in I, Robot.
Gardens in the kitchen
Smart idea! Keeping fruit and vegies ripe by growing them in a machine above the dinner table.
Auto-serving Pepsi
Beverages rising from the centre of the table on command. I’m not sure if I really see this coming any time soon… What’s the benefit?
Cycling while eating
We’re way too lazy to be doing this sort of shenanigans.
Hydrating pizza machine
In goes the small, dehydrated pizza, and within seconds, out comes a big, juicy hydrated one. I know everyone is praying for this to arrive. One day, folks. One day. Although, we are 3d printing food. So, perhaps we’re not far off at all.
Weather service
Controllable weather. Despite theories that a US army funded project, HAARP, was capable of moifying weather patterns, this is not something that is openly a part of 2015.
Lawyers are abolished
A corrupt government that removed power and justice from the people? Or getting rid of one of the least trusted occupations?
Self-walking dog leads
This has to be a thing one day. Most people want a dog, not everyone wants to exercise them in all weather. In fact, it’s probably a drone. So you could say this has basically been invented..?
Moving rubbish bins
A handy invention!
Some things have accurately remained the same:
Newspapers
Despite most of us reading news online, and despite the physical paper’s decrease in thickness, newspapers still exist. Specifically USA Today, which was shown in the film.
Fax machines
We certainly don’t rely on fax machines as much as the film thought we would. But they are still in operation, nevertheless.
Dogs
Owning pets. We haven’t been put off by the cost, stained carpets or aggravation they bring..
As a side-note, here are the fashion trends in the film that will probably only ever be replicated at sci-fi themed dress-up parties:
Inside-out pants
Self-adjusting jackets
Self-drying vests
Self-lacing shoes
I lie! Nike is developing these shoes as I type! Transparent ties
Weird hats
Vests that make sound effects
Wearing two ties at once
However, wearing colourful, high-waisted skirts with cropped tops are in, as predicted.
Despite this over-analysis and nit-picking, I love Back to the Future. It is my favourite trilogy. I hope more time-travel themed movies continue to be made, to ensure the continuation of fangry sci-fi fans, and blog posts like this one.
Let me know your thoughts!
Jodie.
Director: Robert Zemeckis
“Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads….” We go to the future with Marty (Micheal J. Fox), Doc (Christopher Lloyd) and Marty’s girlfriend Jennifer (Elizabeth Shue) because Doc is concerned that their son will be framed by the grandson of Biff (Thomas F. Wilson), Marty’s high school bully.
This dark film exposes the full extent of the dangers of time travel as Marty finds his father’s grave and his mother married to Biff in the alternate 1985. There’s a lot of gun action and accurately predicts the rise of corporations ruling the world (Biff’s company owning the police force) and everybody’s infatuation with money. It’s a massive flip-side to the innocent times of the previous film which is unexpected.
As we are trapped in the fifties, we see the repetitive nature of the McFlys and how each generation get bullied by the same family of Marty’s bully as well as the lack of self-confidence carried from father to son in the McFly family. This structured life brings out the irony and humour of the story.
So while he is stuck in the fifties he finds the Doc from that era to help try find another fuel to get the usually nuclear-run time machine back to the eighties! All at the same time, trying to get his future parents to meet and fall in love whilst trying to get back to the future! It’s such an exciting and fun film which looks very well made for its time.
NZ Film Freak 