When it came to Bill and Ted Face The Music, I kept my expectations low. And this isn’t because I didn’t have faith; it was more because I hold the first two films so close to my heart. I watched them religiously with my brother and they became my comfort movies, something to go back to when I need a dose of nostalgia. Surprisingly, Face The Music still gave me that feeling.
The third film rejoins our favourite (now middle-aged) lovable airheads, Bill and Ted, with their Princess wives and their two grown up daughters. Having ‘failed’ in the world of Rock and Roll and appearing totally burnt out, the Wyld Stallyns are challenged with performing a song that saves civilisation. Lots of time travelling and chaos ensues.
Finally seeing Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) and Alex Winter (The Panama Papers) back in these roles was amazing, however, I was very much drawn to their daughters. As you’d expect, they’re pretty much exactly the same as their dads, with the same witty behaviour and one-liners. Aptly named Thea (Samara Weaving) and Billie (Bridgette Lundy-Paine), they pulled focus with their strong chemistry as they attempted to help their fathers save the world. They step into Bill and Ted’s shoes and time travel to retrieve iconic musicians of the past, including Jimi Hendrix and Mozart.
The storyline lost me frequently, but I was drawn back in through the familiar characters (and waiting for Death to finally show up). To try and sum it up, Bill and Ted Face The Music is incredibly endearing, but definitely not as bogus. It had enough of the original charm to float, though it didn’t quite take off. It was uplifting and funny, but it couldn’t quite reach the brilliance of Bill and Ted playing battleships with Death or breaking historical figures out of jail. What made it more enjoyable was how you could tell everyone making the film was having an amazing time. Everyone was happy to be there, back in these iconic roles and revisiting a now cult classic. It’s not to be taken too seriously, and that’s how Face The Music thrives.
Bill and Ted Face The Music is a happy nostalgia trip. If you go in expecting the best, you may be disappointed. But I think this third sequel is exactly what we all needed in these strange times. It might put a smile on your face.
Be excellent to each other!
Featured image credit: IMDb
