Back to the Future (1985), written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, masters the art of time travel so well that the time jumps fit seamlessly into the storyline, do not detract from plot points and only enhances the overall adventure.

The time frame doesn’t feel jumpy or hard to follow. In fact, it grips the audience so they ride along with Marty McFly, Doc, and the time-traveling DeLorean in a fast-paced thrilling adventure into the past (and later the future.)

It never feels repetitive, it doesn’t replay the same day over, and over, but plays with time in a way that still feels fresh 40 years later. 

The rules of this world’s time travel constraints are given by Doc. One has to set the desired year in the alarm clock-style time travel dashboard, climb in the reconfigured plutonium-powered DeLorean, and drive to 88 mph before being transported through time.

The concept of time travel is simplified, it’s not made into a confusing abstract concept for the audience to understand. Not having to worry about the mechanics of it, and feeling informed, the audience can then enjoy the action that unfolds during Marty McFly’s time hop to 1955.

Marty McFly is unexpectedly thrown into the time-traveling DeLorean to save Doc, after Doc is shot in a parking lot. Marty was previously shown the rules, and Doc even gave a demonstration with his dog Einstein. It was simple enough that Marty remembered the steps, clocks the DeLorean up to 88 mph, and heads to the past to save Doc.

This gives the audience a chance to see time travel in action, and how Marty arrives in 1955. Since it is clearly laid out, the audience isn’t constantly wondering, well, how’d the hell did he do that?

They know what to expect and can play along, and even mentally chip in ideas near the end when Marty is heading back to 1985.

Doc tells the audience how it works, the audience accepts that in this world and it feels possible, but most importantly, Doc and Marty follow the rules. They work to fix missing pieces and make sure they follow the parameters set forth in the beginning of the film.

When Marty has to return to 1985, the rules don’t change, he needs plutonium and a source strong enough to get him there—the lightning strike at the clock tower.

The time jumps serve the overall structure of the film. It does not muddy the theme, structure or plot. In Act 1, Marty enters the DeLorean and travels to 1955 leading the film into Act 2 where Marty meets his parents and attempts not to interfere with his own future.

During Act 3, Marty is sent back to 1985 and the story wraps up in a complete way where Marty is reunited with Doc, his girlfriend and family, without disastrous consequences.

The time jump is perfectly timed crafting the film with a cohesive 3-act structure.

The film never feels stale or repetitive, and Marty doesn’t jump around in time once he gets to 1955. The story follows the 1985 to 1955 to 1985 story line beautifully. 

The journey to 1955 takes place over the course of a few days and time doesn’t reset. Every scene is new with constant action and plot development. When Marty travels back to 1985, he doesn’t end up in the exact same scenario. He remembers his journey and he appreciates his own place in time.

When Marty enters 1955 there is no mistake he is in 1955. The downtown is shown as a 1950s town, with 1950s era cars and diners. Marty’s younger parents are introduced and are major characters in Act 2 reminding the audience and Marty the difference in time he is experiencing.

The audience is given more than enough cues to signal they are in a different time period and when Marty returns to the future by the end, the physical environment is set so there is no mistake they have left 1955. 

By Back to The Future 2 and 3, the audience is familiar with the rules of time travel in this world, and it allows space for Doc to tinker with the vehicle used to head back in time and back to the future. 

The 2nd and 3rd films have less to explain about time travel and allow more room for the actual story to transpire.

Time travel is used in a clear, functional way, that supports the story line, keeps the audience engaged and not left trying to guess what is happening. Keeping it simple allows for the story to take place in Back To The Future making it easy to hop onboard this journey with Marty McFly and Doc.