This film is playing at drive-ins and is also available to stream at home from various online outlets.
If you grew up in the 1980s, then you’ll know doubt be familiar with Bill & Ted. These time-traveling characters first graced cinema screens in 1989. A successful (and generally underrated) sequel followed in 1991 before everyone went their separate ways. Now, over 30 years later, the band has reunited for Bill & Ted Face the Music. Like many groups attempting a comeback, the results are occasionally off-tune. However, the likable leads can’t help but raise a smile and ultimately win one over. This is a likable flick that will generally please those who remember the original movies with great fondness.
For those unfamiliar with the first two movies, they involved teens Bill S. Preston Esq. (Alex Winter) and “Ted” Theodore Logan (Keanu Reeves) meeting visitors from the future who tell them that they are destined to unite the world with a song. But after years of trying, it still hasn’t happened. In fact, the two dudes appear ready to give up on music. Suddenly, a time-traveling visitor named Kelly (Kristen Schaal) arrives on their doorstep. Daughter of their original helper, she informs the pain that they have about 75 minutes left to create their epic song or else the universe will begin to unravel. It’s a daunting task, so Bill and Ted travel to the future in the hopes that they can sneak a look at their majestic composition. However, all they find are comical, increasingly disturbing future versions of themselves. In the meantime, their daughters Billie Logan (Brigette Lundy-Paine) and Thea Preston (Samara Weaving) try to help their dads by embarking on their own journey through spacetime.
Naturally, after 30 years it’s a difficult task to revive these characters. The good news is that the concept itself is a solid one, allowing the opportunity to travel to different eras and interact with bizarre versions of themselves and historical figures. The onscreen closeness between Bill and Ted is still very charming and their general positivity (despite the whole end-of-world situation) is contagious. In fact, it’s especially amusing that their biggest concern throughout seems to be that they may lose the love and respect of their spouses and kids.
There are also funny gags from Bill and Ted’s outrageous alter-egos, including one scenario that details a goofy way in which the heroes must fool two villainous versions of themselves. Naturally, Bill and Ted also have to revisit a familiar ex-band member and attempt to reconcile all their differences, which results in some amusing bickering between them. Another scene, involving the pair having an emotional heart-to-heart talk with their older selves, may be the funniest bit in the movie. And there are some good bits involving daughters Billie and Thea, who are surprisingly welcome additions. The performers create note-perfect new representations of their fathers and they’re enjoyable to watch.
One downside about this chapter with its ticking-clock apocalyptic scenario is that there are numerous characters and less time for silliness. The protagonists, their wives and daughters, returning family and band members from the original movies, as well as other new additions are all vying for screen-time. The movie appears to be in a big rush to keep everything moving and loses some comedic potential in the process. In the original film, the historical figures had the opportunity to interact with both the modern world and each other, adding more comedic layers and situations. In this outing, everyone is goal-oriented and there aren’t as many fun interactions between iconic figures. As the fabric of the universe begins to unravel, we also see people, places and things appear unexpectedly in different times. It would have been nice to slow things down a bit and see a couple of them become involved in the proceedings instead of just being a quick background gag.
Still, these problems and the abbreviated approach are likely due to working with a more limited budget than the previous entries had. At least the movie does come together at the close to deliver a strong and joyful finale. Admittedly, this tune doesn’t match the best number from this act. However, it is a decent follow-up that doesn’t besmirch the good name of its characters. In the end, the great cast and enthusiasm on display is successful enough to make Bill & Ted Face the Music an enjoyable show.
Note to Viewers: There is also an amusing extra scene following the credits, so be sure to wait until the very end before leaving or shutting the movie off.