Often when a franchise brings out another entry many years after the previous one, it is destined to fail. However, that does not seem to be the case with Bill and Ted Face the Music. Dean Parisot is behind the camera this time and the film follows Ted (Keanu Reeves) and Bill (Alex Winter), now middle aged and married with daughters (Samara Weaving and Brigette Lundy Pierce, female counterparts of Bill and Ted’s younger selves). They are still to write the song that will save humanity, but time is running out for when they hear that the world is in danger, so it’s up to Bill and Ted to save it. Their plan is to go into the future and steal the song from themselves – what could possibly go wrong?

Reeves and Winter play their roles as if no significant time has passed. They are obsessed with their destiny as musicians and their chemistry is one of the main things that keep the film enjoyable. Despite playing very dumb characters, they never become annoying. It’s also refreshing to see Reeves in a comedy for a change. William Sadler is back as Death – I know he was praised for his part in the Bogus Journey and I would have liked a little more of him. There’s also a cameo in the film by rapper Kid Cudi, and another by a musician who is famous for being in Nirvana and Foo Fighters. This is the first Bill and Ted film not to feature George Carlin, but at least they have archive footage of him.

Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon penned the script, and it maintains a lot of the franchise essentials. Bill and Ted are the same people and the tone is consistently humorous. There is also a terminator-like robot, but if he weren’t in it at all I doubt the film would be much different. The running time is under 100 minutes and it’s all fast-paced, barely slows down and is always on the move, which is appreciated.

The only music that caught my attention was in the opening scene that takes place at a wedding. Bill and Ted get up on stage and attempt to play and throat sing, and it’s hilariously awful.

I think I have two issues with this film, one being that once all the historical figures are together, not much is done with them. The film also ends rather abruptly when it feels as if there should be five or ten minutes left, without any real sign of closure.

Let me put it like this, if you want an hour and a half of nothing but escapism with two unbelievably dumb lead characters, this should be to your liking. I know it’s not the best time to go the cinema right now, but I think seeing it would show that the efforts of those involved in its production have not gone unrewarded.

Director: Dean Parisot
Writers: Chris Matheson, Ed Solomon
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, Kristen Schaal
Andrew Moodie
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