That's right Marty, we are in the future.
1989 launched the sequel to the tenth most grossing film trilogies of all time: Back To The Future Part II.
The most unique of the entire trilogy since not only did it play off of the first movie, but blatantly closed itself with the fact there was definitely going to be a third. But it also put in a unique look at what the future might look like in 26 years. (Remember, this was released in 1989 despite the film taking place in 1985. And 1955. And 2015.)
Unlike the blatantly wacky Tex Avery The Farm of Tomorrow and The House of Tomorrow done in the 1950's, the film actually took a close look at the world and technology to make a somewhat serious guess at what 2015 may bring. And while a number of these are true to life, there are a few things which aren't even remotely close to what we have today.
So, what came true?
1) "You have to use your hands? That's like a baby's toy!"
Okay, so maybe motion-controlled video games aren't so prolific that an eight-year-old Elijah Wood would complain about it. But in 2007 Sony released the PlayStation Eye (and followed up in 2010 when Microsoft released Kinect) which uses vision and gesture recognition to allow players to play games without the need of a in-hand controller.
2 & 3) Thank you for calling!
This counts for two.
2) In the time this movie was filmed, the only way you could do face-to-face contact was literally face to face with that person. As time has progressed, we now have computer webcam based chat service. Primarily known as Skype.
3) AT&T. Now, the history of AT&T is truly bizzare. And the fact that the film used AT&T is a somewhat creepy foretelling.
Quick history lesson: In 1984, AT&T was split into seven Regional Bell operating companies (RBOC's) due to the result of an antitrust lawsuit. It wasn't until While AT&T still existed as a division of AT&T (like I said, bizzare). It wasn't until 2005 when one of the breakoff companies, Southwestern Bell Corporation, bought AT&T, bringing us the AT&T company we have today.
So, why is this correct? In Hill Valley in 1985, Pacific Telesis would have the phone carrier as Needles calling would have been a local call, meaning if the filmmakers didn't use AT&T (which was probably done for brand recognition), they would have used the locally correct PacTel.
4) "Against Miami?"
4) "Against Miami?"
While they aren't called the Gators, or something cliche and stupid like that, the Miami Marlins (originally the Florida Marlins) were Florida's first baseball team. Their first games started in 1993, and won the World Series in 1997 and 2003. However, things aren't looking so promising in 2015 after a less than steller 77-85 record last year. Still better than the Diamondbacks 64-98 season, and much better than Detroit's 43-119 record of 2003.
5) It's so big!
While watching multiple channels at once isn't sweeping the nation, the concept of having a massive flat TV you can hang on the wall isn't a rare sight in most American homes.
And yes, the top right screen is selling "The Super Inflatable Tit" for 50% off. Ron Popeil is probably selling it.
What did those lying bastards fail to tell us correctly?
1) "Hold on, I'll park over there!"
Probably the most obvious (aside from the hoverboard, which isn't included and I'll explain later), is the hover-flying car. The technology is still waaaaaay too far off. And based on today's drivers, the though of those same people flying around in two-tons of steel is scary.
2) "Against Miami?" (Again)
Now, the end of the 2015 baseball season is a few months off, but the chances of the Cubs winning the World Series are slim. The Cubbies came in 22nd out of 30 in the 2014 season, and the team hasn't won the World Series since 1908. That's 107 years. Guess the Curse of the Billy Goat is true.
3) We Built Excitement
During filming of this film, Pontiac was having one of its best years ever. From the Fiero to the Firebird, things were looking good until the mid 2000's when the division of GM was selling mediocre products (with the exception of the G8). As a part of GM's bailout, the 84-year-old Pontiac Division was closed in 2010.
4) News of the Future!!!
This newspaper is filled with more fail than a typical edition of USA Today.
Let's count:
"Washington Prepares for Queen Diana's Visit"
Despite the fact that Queen Elizabeth II is still alive and kicking, Princess Diana was killed in 1997.
"Marshall Runs 3-Minute Mile"
Unless there's some serious steroid use, Hicham El Guerrouj still holds the mile record at 3:43. This was set in 1999.
"Thumb Bandits Strike"
Assuming this is in regards to the proliferation of using thumb pads everywhere, the lack of usage today isn't causing a gang to amputate thumbs.
"President Says She's Tired"
Unless Barack Obama isn't telling us something, I'm pretty sure he has a donger-doodle.
"Slamball Playoffs Begin"
Unless this is ESPN 8 (The Ocho!), slamball isn't that big. Or interesting. Or 2003.
5) "Right On The Tick!"
Unless inventor of the internet Al Gore used all of his An Inconvenient Truth money to buy weather controlling machines, The Weather Channel is still as reliable as a Yugo. The fact that TWC is doing stuff as pedantic as naming winter storms, it's obvious they still don't know what's going on.
Here's why I didn't count hoverboards.
5) It's so big!
While watching multiple channels at once isn't sweeping the nation, the concept of having a massive flat TV you can hang on the wall isn't a rare sight in most American homes.
And yes, the top right screen is selling "The Super Inflatable Tit" for 50% off. Ron Popeil is probably selling it.
What did those lying bastards fail to tell us correctly?
1) "Hold on, I'll park over there!"
Probably the most obvious (aside from the hoverboard, which isn't included and I'll explain later), is the hover-flying car. The technology is still waaaaaay too far off. And based on today's drivers, the though of those same people flying around in two-tons of steel is scary.
2) "Against Miami?" (Again)
Now, the end of the 2015 baseball season is a few months off, but the chances of the Cubs winning the World Series are slim. The Cubbies came in 22nd out of 30 in the 2014 season, and the team hasn't won the World Series since 1908. That's 107 years. Guess the Curse of the Billy Goat is true.
3) We Built Excitement
During filming of this film, Pontiac was having one of its best years ever. From the Fiero to the Firebird, things were looking good until the mid 2000's when the division of GM was selling mediocre products (with the exception of the G8). As a part of GM's bailout, the 84-year-old Pontiac Division was closed in 2010.
4) News of the Future!!!
This newspaper is filled with more fail than a typical edition of USA Today.
Let's count:
"Washington Prepares for Queen Diana's Visit"
Despite the fact that Queen Elizabeth II is still alive and kicking, Princess Diana was killed in 1997.
"Marshall Runs 3-Minute Mile"
Unless there's some serious steroid use, Hicham El Guerrouj still holds the mile record at 3:43. This was set in 1999.
"Thumb Bandits Strike"
Assuming this is in regards to the proliferation of using thumb pads everywhere, the lack of usage today isn't causing a gang to amputate thumbs.
"President Says She's Tired"
Unless Barack Obama isn't telling us something, I'm pretty sure he has a donger-doodle.
"Slamball Playoffs Begin"
Unless this is ESPN 8 (The Ocho!), slamball isn't that big. Or interesting. Or 2003.
5) "Right On The Tick!"
Unless inventor of the internet Al Gore used all of his An Inconvenient Truth money to buy weather controlling machines, The Weather Channel is still as reliable as a Yugo. The fact that TWC is doing stuff as pedantic as naming winter storms, it's obvious they still don't know what's going on.
Here's why I didn't count hoverboards.
