The final installment of the Back to the Future trilogy finds Marty digging the trusty DeLorean out of a mineshaft and looking for Doc in the Wild West of 1885. But when their time machine breaks down, the travelers are stranded in a land of spurs. More problems arise when Doc falls for pretty schoolteacher Clara Clayton, and Marty tangles with Buford Tannen.
Ties up all the loose ends but runs out of energy and inspiration.
– John Hartl,
Film.com,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Divinely frivolous, nearly perfect fun.
– Hal Hinson,
Washington Post,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
Except for Mr. Lloyd, the film is so sweet-natured and bland that it is almost instantly forgettable.
– Vincent Canby,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
fresh:
This is a good deal more likable than part two because the product plugs have been held back, and Zemeckis is clearly having fun alluding to his favorite westerns; there's also a certain sweetness and charm in the Lloyd-Steenburgen romance.
– Jonathan Rosenbaum,
Chicago Reader,
26 Feb 2007
fresh:
The simplicity of plot, and the wide expansiveness of its use of space, are a refreshing change from the convoluted, visually cramped and cluttered second part.