V18 N25

Imagine a journey 30 years in the making
that finally manages to “hit the right
chord.” Bill and Ted were iconic characters
in my post-college days. But the
humor of the first films fell flat on me.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure started the
would-be trilogy in 1989. Either you got the
cheerful wackiness, or you didn’t. Bill (played
by Alex Winter), and Ted (played by Keanu
Reeves) were charming rock ‘n roller dudes
who go on an amazing time travel tour to visit
legendary historic figures — and act silly with
them.
Like I said, either you get it or you don’t.
Their second installment was in 1991.
And I must admit, I only caught parts of it.
Hey, I just had my first daughter and time
was precious — as in, “she’s napping, I need
to nap too!” Their “bogus journey” did not get
great reviews.
What happened in the 30 years after
could not be predicted. Well... maybe it could.
Winter goes on to work in a series of quirky
projects. Reeves makes one action hit after
The Movie Column
By arts columnist Tom Sims
another for several years — and maybe some
less action and less hit. The Matrix, John Wick,
Speed. The success of Reeves is so starkly different
from Winter, would he ever come back
to make a third installment?
Bill and Ted Face the Music is certainly silly,
but something is different. There is some
depth in their latest time travels. They meet
versions of themselves who are scoundrels,
prison-workout buff, and ultimately, elderly
and near death. And the two have daughters.
Thea (played by Samara Weaving) and Billie
(played by Brigette Lundy-Paine), go on their
own travels. They are fun to watch these two,
clearly passing the adventure to the next generation.
The plot is simple. Bill and Ted are frustrated
they never wrote the hit song that
prophecy said would save the world! Now they
travel through time to take the song from their
future selves. Well, duh... they chase that song
like a MacGuffin bouncing around with not a
thought toward time and space.
Can a song really save the world? More
than ever, I’d like to believe it can. I want
to believe anything can unify this divide. It
seems to be ripping through us like a gaping
tear in what is a surprisingly strong fabric of
decency and good will. What it leaves behind
is tattered hurt. When will we harmonize?
Maybe Bill and Ted can show us — or show
us how we can find our own way. Party on…
maybe with a little purpose this time. [Air guitar
solo here!] It could be...excellent!
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