"Bill and Ted Face the Music" Movie Review

Bill and Ted make their most excellent return in an all-new adventure that reteams the duo once again as they set out to save the time stream from folding in on itself. It's been 29 years since we last saw Bill and Ted when they were told that they would one day write a song that would unite the world. It's now 2020 and they haven't done it yet. After being warned by The Great Leader that time was running out for the two to finish their song before the world (and the time stream) quite literally folds in on itself, Bill and Ted decide that the easiest way to finish the song is to travel to the future and steal it from themselves. As usual, their quest isn't quite as easy as they hoped it would be. While they are time-traveling, their daughters Billie and Thea decide to do a bit of time-traveling themselves, uniting some of the greatest musicians in history in hopes of helping their dads save the world.

Have you ever wondered what it'd be like if Louis Armstrong had a jam session with Jimi Hendrix or what Mozart might think of an ancient Chinese flutist? That is exactly what makes Bill and Ted's adventures so fun and unique. Where else might you see Jesus walking on water beside George Washington's boat? All three of these films have such a beautiful innocence about them and they all send messages of hope and unity, something the world desperately needs right now. Bill and Ted Face the Music released at the perfect time. If ever we needed a film about uniting the world in song, it's now.

Brigette Lundy-Paine and Samara Weaving were a lot of fun together, capturing the youthful silliness that Keanu and Alex had back in '89. That's not to say that Keanu and Alex aren't still a lot of fun, but it has been 29 years since we last saw them. They've grown a bit and, while they still may be a little less than knowledgeable about some things, they have learned a lot. That's what makes writer Chris Matheson's choices so perfect. He took his characters in a believable direction. If they had been the same dumb kids they were only 30 years older, it would have actually taken the fun out of the characters rather than adding to it. Chris made a wise choice by showing the two have undergone at least some change.

I loved all the references to the previous films. The references were perfectly placed. Nothing ever felt forced or gimmicky to me. The story flowed very well and ended the trilogy on a high note. I also loved that a nice homage to George Carlin's Rufus character was included. The only negative thing I have to say about the film is that it started off a little slow but it soon kicked into high gear and the fun and laughs started rolling just like old times.

In conclusion, we could learn a lot from Bill and Ted. There's no need to be hateful or rude or go through life hating every day. Be excellent to each other, enjoy the time and the people you have. Oh, and "party on, dudes". I give the film a 3.5 out of 4.