Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains some spoilers for the film, ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music’.
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Inside each and every one of us, is a grandiose dream. One that has managed to infect every fiber of our being in every sense of the phrase and that drives to us to chase this goal with impunity. Because we know that if we can achieve this dream and hold it in our hot little hands, that we will finally know what internal peace and genuine joy feels like. Because nothing makes us happier than the dream, and everything it will reward us with for chasing it and sacrificing so much to obtain it, will make every hardship absolutely worth the effort. And while that may sound silly or outlandish to some since this type of pursuit has a risk of failure, we press on because we know this is what we were born to do.

But while it is wonderful to ponder upon the future and what our lives will look like the day, we grab hold of the dream, and enjoy fictional and real stories about those that climb the proverbial mountain, the haters and doubters do have one important point about our pursuit of the dream. In that, there are no guarantees that we will achieve it. Which is a cynical thing to say, but life is unpredictable, and it takes us places sometimes we simply don’t want to go. A notion that begs some important questions for certain, such as; what do we do, if we don't achieve our dream? Do we settle for second best? Do we try and press on, regardless of seeing things blow up in our faces? Well these are important questions that only the individual can answer. But that doesn’t stop movies from offering up the best advice they possibly can about such matters and it just so happens that Bill & Ted Face the Music is a motion picture that dives headfirst into these all-important questions. 

Because when we catch up with Bill S. Preston (Esq.) and Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan in this particular tale, they’ve seen better days. For all the success they enjoyed at the end of Bogus Journey has evaporated, and to make matters worse, they have yet to write the song that will unite all of humanity. But they are still trying, with very mixed and weird results. But despite their best efforts to find a way forward and enjoy the success they were destined to find, they’re starting to wonder if the universe was right about their skill set and now, said skills will be put to the absolute test. For Rufus’ daughter Kelly arrives in 2020 to warn them that if they don’t write the song in the next several hours, all of time and space will be destroyed, and it will be up to these former rock stars and their daughters to figure out how to bring the perfect song to the masses, in order save reality as we know it. 

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Which is an incredibly complex plot that leads to yet another powerful analysis on life and the challenges we face. Which in this case, is directed specifically at how we handle our pursuit of the dream when everything doesn’t go exactly according to plan, and what the movie explores in regard to this is quite powerful. Simply because the film doesn’t let Bill or Ted sulk on the fact that they didn’t achieve their goal. Instead, they keep plugging away and refuse to give up on themselves, and the future and that reminds us that we only truly fail, when we quit, and that's not the only inspiring message present in this film. Because the movie also reminds us, that when we chase the dream in a fierce manner, we lose sight of some of the wins in our lives and the other successes we achieve and that it is equally as important to recognize and celebrate those victories. Plus, it also takes the time to point out the fact that sometimes, we achieve our goals in a uniquely different manner than we originally envisioned. But as to how the movie accomplishes that, we’ll refrain from going into here, so you can experience that firsthand.

Instead, now is the perfect time to address the million-dollar question in regard to this film, in that; is it any good? And the answer to that question is a bodacious, yes. Because this movie features everything you love about the franchise, and despite being released twenty-nine years after Bogus Journey, nothing here feels forced or out of place. For this story and everything that happens here feels organic and connected to the other films in the franchise. But most important of all, this is a downright hilarious motion picture. Because Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves simply don’t miss a beat as Bill and Ted, and their ability to transform into unique versions of themselves, leads to some outright side-splitting moments, and the support cast does their part as well. With a special shout out to William Sadler and Anthony Carrigan, who play Death and Dennis Caleb McCoy respectively. Because those two gents steal every single scene they are in with their impeccable comedic timing and delivery. 

If anything, this is a perfect ending to a wonderfully outlandish and delightful franchise. Because not only does it offer up one incredible and fun adventure for the Wyld Styallns to partake in, it is an inspiring and uplifting film. Because the despite the odds, Bill and Ted’s unwavering optimism in humanity and good remains steadfast here, and they stop at nothing to make the world a better place and that is wonderful to find in an era of filmmaking where gritty tales are king. And now that the saga of Bill and Ted has come to a close, all we can do is offer thanks to Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves for bringing two unique and wonderful characters to life, and those thanks need to be extended to Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson as well. For without the minds of these two writers, this franchise and everything it stands for wouldn’t exist in the slightest and well; that’s it, dudes. There’s nothing more to say about this most excellent franchise. For the story has come to a close and all we are left with, are lessons. The kind that remind us to never give up, and fight for everything we want in life and to be excellent to each other and also... to party on, dudes.

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