While often overlooked, the Back to the Future franchise’s lesser-known animated sequel carries on Doc Brown’s adventures and introduces an advanced iteration of the iconic DeLorean. Initially, prior to its cinematic debut, the DMC DeLorean struggled in the American automotive market, ultimately failing to achieve its anticipated sales. However, its status skyrocketed after being featured as the pivotal time machine in the original Back to the Future film.
Thanks to its prominent role across the trilogy and other franchise extensions, the DeLorean has become synonymous with time travel, securing its place as one of the most recognizable vehicles in cinema history. Consequently, it’s hardly surprising that this lesser-known follow-up to Back to the Future Part III incorporates the DeLorean into its narrative, showcasing an impressively upgraded version of the legendary time-traveling automobile.
A New Era for the DeLorean in the Animated Series
More Than Just a Time Machine
Set after the events of Back to the Future Part III, the Back to the Future animated series illustrates Doc Brown’s ingenuity, as he constructs a new DeLorean transformed into a comprehensive time machine following the destruction of the original vehicle in the film trilogy. Enhancements like a Mr. Fusion reactor and a hover conversion demonstrate his resourcefulness, with the upgraded DeLorean boasting voice activation capabilities and the ability to travel through both time and space.
Unlike its cinematic predecessor, the animated series’ DeLorean can materialize in distant locations, displaying a significant evolution in functionality. The compact design allows it the unique feature of folding into a suitcase, offering improved portability. Moreover, this innovative vehicle can transform into a four-door car and is equipped with additional features like a rear video screen and the ability to detach from a blimp. This remarkable level of advancement reflects Doc Brown’s continuous quest for innovation.
Doc Brown’s Innovations Post-Back to the Future III
Exploring New Temporal Possibilities
The animated series, which aired on CBS from September 14, 1991, to December 26, 1992, represents a self-contained narrative within the universe of Back to the Future. Despite being set post-Back to the Future Part III, series co-creator Bob Gale clarified that only the live-action films are considered canon, designating the animated series as an alternate storyline. Regardless, it showcases Doc Brown’s relentless spirit of innovation as he upgrades the DeLorean following the trilogy’s conclusion.
With two seasons and 26 episodes to its name, Back to the Future: The Animated Series centers on Doc Brown and the adventures he undertakes with his family using the enhanced DeLorean to explore diverse historical periods and events. Alongside the sophisticated DeLorean, the series also features the locomotive time machine utilized by Doc in the trilogy’s final moments, further enriching the expansive lore of the Back to the Future universe.
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