Yep, 1985 was 25 friggin' years ago and I feel old. So doing the math, I was around 8 when this came out and probably about 9 when I actually saw it. I love this film series as much as I did growing up. To me all of them are pure genius and never lost their direction. Its one of those film series that I think has shaped me into who I am as a film fan. I figure in this thread people can give their opinions about the films.
Back To The Future: I love this film because it's details are so fine in the beginning that you simply can't jump into the middle of the story. For example, the way Marty's mother and Doc reminisce about days past and Marty actually ends up there to see how it actually was minutes later. I don't think I've ever watched this film without sitting on the edge of my seat at the end. Yes I know what happens but if a film can do that to me every time it is film magic I say.
Back To The Future 2: This one makes things even more interesting to me because it explores the "what if I went back in time to change my life" concept with Biff. The view of the future in Hill Valley was fun as well, especially with the nostalgia "Cafe 80s".
Back To The Future 3: People seem to pan this one and although its not my favorite of the series, I still enjoy it immensely. The wild west motif was a great idea to end the series and offered up a lot of fun and character development for both Marty and Doc. The ending actually makes me tear up.
Overall this is one film series, aside Toy Story, that keeps it's soul throughout. They know that many of the scenes (the diner chase for example) is simply a redo of the original but they play it up so it still comes across as fresh. The subtle jokes and nods to different items in the plot are also great. For example, in part 3 where Doc says "This is heavy" after Marty says "Great Scott" is one of the best series in-jokes ever to me in film history.
Lloyd is awesome and nutty as Doc Brown and MJF plays a great role as Marty. Plus he seemed to stay eternally youthfull throughout each film so that paid off in the long run with him casted.
Well, your turn good or bad.
Yep, makes me feel old too.
I'm not quite as fond of the series as you, but I still have a warm spot in my heart, partly due to nostalgia. I will agree with you that the writing in the first one does not get the credit it deserves. Also, you have to give the film credit for creating some of the most iconic images in film history. Nobody below the age of 25 would even know that a DeLorean had ever been a car if it wasn't for that movie.
I never get sick of the first film. Even though it's on TV all the time I'll usually end up watching it if I'm flipping channels. God knows how many times I've seen it!