Marty McFly

“Where we’re going, we don’t need roads” is a line every ‘80s kid knows by heart. It’s a nod to Back to the Future’s iconic ending, where Doc Brown and Marty McFly take off in a time-traveling DeLorean that flies like it’s no big deal. And as the camera pans out to a black screen, the viewers are left with the realization that they have just witnessed an ultimate adventure of a hero, Marty McFly.

In the 1985 classic Back to the Future, Michael J. Fox played the beloved protagonist Marty McFly, a high schooler from Hill Valley, California, who accidentally travels thirty years back in time with Doc Brown, a scientist from the same town. The two spend the rest of the movie trying to figure out how to go back to the future while avoiding situations that could alter the future drastically.

Marty is a relatable and endearing character that represents the typical teenager of the ‘80s. He loves rock music, hanging out with his girlfriend, Jennifer, and playing guitar. He’s sympathetic to the audience’s feelings of being stuck in a daily routine and the thought of what could-have-been.

Additionally, Marty’s relationship with his parents is a significant subplot in the series. In the first film, Marty travels back to 1955 and accidentally alters his parents’ meeting, putting their future in jeopardy. Marty takes the responsibility of making sure his parents fall in love and ensure his existence in the future. He goes through many challenges involving his parents to make sure everything goes according to plan.

But the plot is only a small fraction of what makes Marty McFly an iconic character. Fox’s portrayal of Marty is what makes him memorable. His acting as a teenager from 1985 and one from 1955 is impressive as he encompasses all aspects of a cool teenager and a confused but determined young man.

In the sequels, Fox developed Marty’s character further by taking risks that no other protagonists would take. In Back to the Future II, Marty travels to an alternate future where he has to save his family and himself from his son’s decisions. In Back to the Future III, Marty travels to the year 1885 and single-handedly saves Doc Brown from being shot to death, facing the deadliest villain of the franchise head-on.

As a hero, Marty McFly is an interesting case study. He’s the kind of hero who’s not necessarily looking to save the world, but rather his loved ones and himself. He’s not driven by a sense of justice, but rather a sense of responsibility towards his family and his future.

Marty McFly holds a special place in pop culture. Almost every child who grew up in the ‘80s wanted to be like him. There are countless references to the character on TV shows, movies, and songs.

Despite the time-traveling theme of the Back to the Future franchise, the story’s heart lies in the characters, particularly Marty. He taught a generation of kids to stand up for themselves, to take responsibility for their actions, to pursue their dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.

Michael J. Fox’s portrayal of Marty McFly is what made the Back to the Future franchise iconic. He created a character that has stood the test of time and will continue to inspire future generations. Watching the series will always be a trip down memory lane, and we can only hope to have a hero like Marty McFly in our lives when we most need him.