Back to the Future Movie Analysis Essay Example

We all have learned a lesson or two from doing little experiments that sparked our curiosity. Many of us have done this because the outcome was a mystery. It's an experience we all have felt and it is a learning experience, if you've done this what was the effect? The movie "Back to the Future" directed by Robert Zemeckis is a sci-fi movie about time travel. It takes place in Marty's hometown where Doc needs to send Marty into the Future with a time machine in the form of a car (Delorean) that needs 1.21 gigawatts to be powered. Doc climbs onto the clock tower to collect a lightning bolt's energy with a rod damaging the clock tower in the process. Although damages were caused Doc Brown should not be held responsible for any damages caused by the lightning strike because it was a natural cause.

To begin with, Doc Brown should not be charged with the damages caused by the clock tower. This is because Doc Brown had proper paperwork and permission from the city to do his experiment. According to the movie, "Back to the Future", it states, "Doc Brown and a cop have a conversation together about his permit for his time machine. Doc Brown shows his license and the cop accepts it, shaking his hand afterward. However, some suspect that he paid the cop money during the transaction of the handshake, which is false because pocket change is not going to convince the cop from arresting Doc Brown. He didn't reach down for his pocket so he couldn't grab his money during the shot." This proves that the experiment was legal and could be done with the authorities' approval.

Secondly, another reason Doc Brown should not be charged with the damage to the clock tower is the lightning was a natural occurrence. Doc Brown had no way of stopping the lightning and just happened to do his "experiment". According to the movie, "Back to the Future", it states "Doc Brown had been warned by Marty where and when the lightning would be struck. He chose to believe Marty and sent Marty back to the future by using the lightning energy blast. Regardless of the cause of what would've happened on that day the lightning strike would've struck anyway with no way of stopping it." This confirms Doc Brown had no control over the lightning strike and also made the clock tower cause less damage because the rod absorbed it and fueled it to the car.

Finally, the third and final reason why Doc Brown should not be responsible for the damages to the clock tower is Doc Brown didn't get in trouble for his stunt. Most people knew he was a mad scientist and who else would they assume to be at the very present of the scene with a futuristic car at the time. According to the movie bloopers, "Back to the Future", states, "You are...not gonna set anything on fire this time are you, Emmet?” To which Doc replies “Nah” with a grin as the officer walks on." It was a deleted scene and this conversation implies that the Hill Valley people knew about Doc Brown because why would a random cop know him otherwise? There is plenty of evidence that points to Doc Brown at the scene, yet he didn't get in trouble because the Hill Valley probably knew what he was up to. This statement proves that Doc Brown and the people had a silent agreement that Doc shouldn't be charged.

It is proven in my argument that Doc Brown should not be guilty of the damages and charges caused at the clock tower. His permit wasn't issued and the cop accepted it as he now had the right to do his experiment. Most importantly when the lightning strike hit the clock tower in 1955 it was going to happen no matter what happened in that specific time they traveled back to. It was a natural occurrence that couldn't be stopped and was inevitable. Even after the experiment, Doc Brown wasn't even charged even when evidence was pointing towards him that he was at the present moment at the clock tower. Therefore, Doc Brown is not responsible for the damages caused to the clock tower because he had the right to do his experiment and couldn't prevent the lightning strike.