Talk about the perfect time for this film’s release, or possibly the worst time depending where on the optimist to pessimist spectrum you lean, as what we have here is a film that dares to say in the middle of a crisis, in the middle of disaster, in the middle of failure; to have hope, to connect with your fellow man, and of course, to be excellent to each other and party on dudes. Bill & Ted (Alex Winter & Keanu Reeves) are simple characters, and like so this is a simple franchise, no one is living under the delusion that simply a positive attitude and everyone singing kumbaya is in our reality going to solve the world’s problems. What the film is trying to say, is that high spirits never hurt, having faith and trust can be a helpful factor, they just choose to portray it in an outlandish and extreme fashion while also simplifying the situation. The ideas are simple, the execution is radical.
For some, this overly upbeat perspective could be seen as overbearing, in fact going so far into it’s own philosophy that all it does is remind you of how you don’t live in a world that can be solved with such easy answers. On the other hand if you’re not a complete stick in the mud and will just appreciate the whimsical, funny and light-hearted adventure of the film that tried to give you a joyous 94 minutes with a heartfelt message by the end then you will most likely find yourself having a good time. Any other year this wouldn’t have been that big of a challenge, but let’s not kid ourselves, we live in 2020, a cesspool of a year where it seems there is less and less reason to have hope with each passing day, and somehow Bill & Ted Face the Music came out and dared to give us a glimmer of sanguinity.
The lack of cynicism certainly holds the film together, but it doesn’t prevent the basic and even underdeveloped elements from their prominence. Most notably a subplot revolving around Bill & Ted being unaccommodating husbands to their wives (Erinn Hayes & Jayma Mays) failing to understand their shortcomings until the script decides they have learnt their lessons and an unearned resolution is born. Then again the film's attention slowly moves away from the story of the titular characters to instead the addition of their children Billie & Thea (Brigette Lundy-Paine & Samara Weaving), as the ones who end up constructing the new edition of the Wyld Stallions and perform most of the leg work. Though to be honest while some again might take issue with this passing of the torch presentation, to move attention away from the protagonists of the franchise to the younger generation, if this is how the franchise plans to survive for another generation this is the smartest way to go. The two characters are presented with a modern, hyper-active and colourful energy, with a charming reflection of the best elements of their fathers. Weaving already being hailed as a rising star after her breakout role in last years Ready or Not, and Lundy-Paine a newer face to the scene also carries such an endearing and comedic charisma that it’s not unlikely of them becoming one of the faces of comedy for the next decade ahead. Should a spin-off movie for these two characters be announced, it wouldn’t be that surprising.
The newcomers all around steal the show, Kirsten Schaal has proven herself time and time again she’s one of the best comedians working today, and the true unexpected scene stealer is Dennis Caleb McCoy (Anthony Carrigan) a terminator like robot plagued with anxiety. Any fans of the television series Barry will best know Carrigan is outstanding at playing the socially awkward and out of place weirdo that steals any scene he’s in, and the same rule applies here.
Much like Bill & Ted themselves while trying to write a song that would unite the world, don’t think too hard about it and don’t let the details bog you down. Remember what matters more than anything is the feeling, music can fill you with joy and change your life, especially when you do it together. Bill & Ted might not change your life, but they can promise you a good time, do that on a grand enough scale, and it might be able to change something.
-Danny
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