Bill & Ted Face the Music

When I saw there was a new B&T movie I thought these old men playing those same characters was bound to be terrible, but then I saw all these film critics saying that the movie actually turned out quite well. I wish I'd seen the movie they saw, because this one was pretty bad.

There are a few good things in Face the Music. The plot is a typically intricate B&T time-loop paradox, as the protagonists travel forward in time in search of their masterpiece while their carbon-copy daughters travel backwards in search of help, leading to a surprisingly clever but completely ridiculous finale. And Brigette Lundy-Paine is wonderful as Billie, perfectly capturing Keanu Reeve's physicality.

On the other hand, during the entire movie there were only 4 or 5 times when I actually laughed. Not belly laughs, just little ones. The movie is simply not funny. I'm not even sure it's *trying* to be funny.

At one point in the movie Dave Groh came up and I asked my girlfriend, "who's Dave Groh." She said for her that question was the funniest thing that happened during the movie.

Face the Music is kind of likable and a little sweet, and the story kept me generally engaged. But it's simply a comedy virtually devoid of humor, so I can't recommend it. But if they make a Billy & Thea sequel I might consider watching if they also get some different writers.

The directors tried to reinvent the movie with Bill and Ted's daughters which was a huge mistake. I'd recommend watching the movie but skipping over the scenes without Bill and Ted. This vastly improved things and got me through watching it. I had no interest in the daughters and it was a mistake to put them into the movie as such an integral part of things. What made the first movies great was Bill and Ted. New characters that dominate the scenes just take away from who would see this movie. More Bill and Ted would make this better and completely scrapping the side story of the daughters. The actresses aren't bad that play the daughters but it just isn't something that ties into what made the first two movies great.

Maybe coming from a place of bias for having loved the originals as a young 'un, I can't help but respect the team for having another go at such a stupid premise. An A lister like Keanu could have scoffed it off and went back to making Oscar bids, but instead swallowed his pride and returned to the dopey character that kickstarted his career. It properly pays homage to the feel of the originals, bouncing from one illogical time travel scenario to another, never taking itself seriously and roping in a couple celebrity cameos who also seem to be just enjoying the ride. It nods to how absolutely ludicrous the idea of a "song that unites the world" is while still maintaining that earnest 80s belief that rock 'n roll can save your soul.

If you've never seen the first two Bill & Ted movies, I suggest you pass on "Bill & Ted Face the Music". While this third film isn't bad, it certainly isn't as fun and original as the previous two...and it might also prove to be very confusing. But, if you are a fan already of the series, you'll enjoy this film provided you don't expect the impossible...for the film to recapture 100% of the charm and humor of the originals. Adjust your expectations and you will surely like the film.

As far as the plot goes, it's pretty confusing. Suffice to say that after the second film, when it appeared that the whole world was saved by Bill & Ted, over time you come to see that it was a fluke and Bill & Ted of 2020 are losers. How do they over come this and why do they need to? See the film.

To me, this film clearly was best released to video...which is what happened due to COVID. I would not have recommended you go to the theater to see it...but as a direct to DVD or film on a pay channel, it's well worth your time.

We have to face facts, the reason there are so many sequels and remakes of movies from the 80s and 90s is because Hollywood peaked then. The 2000's marked the beginning of the decline, which has been rapidly descending in the last few years. Despite this decline and despite the mediocre Force Awakens style influences in the script, the charm and humour... and of course the nostalgia saves this from being unwatchable, which is high praise. Zazz as the robot steals the show along with the woman from Flight of the Concordes but I mostly left feeling a little sad that this movie wasn't made in the 90s and sad that Keane Reeves may not actually be immortal.