BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III (1990) **1/2 So after the first two they're not likely to surprise us with any scientific gibberish, however glorious. And they're not going to confound us with that quirky good natured charm, because we know to expect it. And after the second one, we're maybe more hopeful than expectant. It's funny how your actions impact the future in unexpected ways. Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd carry this franchise on the back of their offbeat buddiness, but it.it didn't total Michael's Hollywood career as much as nearly wholly embody it. That's a problem when the credits roll on the last sequel, and you couldn't have expected it to happen to the younger, leading man. Didn't happen to Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, or even Arnold Schwarzenegger as Robocop. Meanwhile it busted the world right open for Lloyd. Of course Michael's had serious health issues, but he's dealt with them heroically, so if anything you would think that it would add to his cache as a more mature leading man. He's not without talent and boyish charm can last as long as you can, just ask Robert Redford. There's an argument to be made that Fox is no Ford or Redford , and it appears to be a strong one, but there's also no denying that his extraordinary success (and so identification) as McFly became the insurmountable obstacle to giving him that chance. I mean, please don't tell me that he has less acting talent or versatility than Arnold . Jules Verne worship aside, there's no denying that these Futures have an imminently American feel, so it's appropriate to see them playing cowboys in the final instalment, the definitive statement, the closing salute. Mary Steenbergen adds an element of professionalism and forthright intellect that I wouldn't have expected to improve this particular sort of proceeding, but it does. I felt a little something as they shut the thing down forever, but I'm glad that they knew better than to go on to a fourth. Besides, we can always go back in time and watch the first three.
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