# "Bill and Ted: Face the Music" out this summer. Will it be excellent or heinous? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [June 9, 2020, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297 "2020-06-09T15:17:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2020, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/61 "2020-07-24T16:01:05Z")
I feel better about the second trailer, but still not great. I can’t get over the feeling that watching a couple of middle aged guys acting like they’ve barely grown over decades is going to get real old, real fast. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/62 "2020-08-28T00:46:55Z")
Reviews are coming out. _Slate_ calls it “goofy, scattershot, and curiously moving.” I look forward to hearing their song “That Which Binds Us Through Time: The Chemical, Physical, and Biological Nature of Love; an Exploration of the Meaning of Meaning, Part 1.” > **[The New Bill & Ted Embodies the Gen X Adventure](https://slate.com/culture/2020/08/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-movie-review.html)** > > The decades-in-the-making Face the Music is goofy, scattershot, and curiously moving. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/63 "2020-08-28T12:54:14Z")
Yesterday I saw an AVClub review, giving it a C+, saying it’s “neither excellent nor completely bogus”. Good enough for me to catch it on VOD at some point: [https://film.avclub.com/bill-ted-face-the-music-in-a-sequel-thats-neither-exc-1844870254](https://film.avclub.com/bill-ted-face-the-music-in-a-sequel-thats-neither-exc-1844870254) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/64 "2020-08-28T12:56:32Z")
I’m watching it right now. I’m only 20 minutes in, but it’s cute, which is about what I expected. I like that Rufus’ daughter is called Kelly, which I believe is George Carlin’s real daughter’s name. In fact, they could have cast Kelly Carlin in the role(kind of a missed opportunity). Nice to see Keanu Reeves say “Whoaaaa” again. We joke about him doing that all the time, but except for Bill and Ted and The Matrix, does he ever actually say that in movies? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/65 "2020-08-28T13:01:29Z")
Whoaaa, live movie commentary. Excellent! > [@Mahaloth](#): > > Nice to see Keanu Reeves say “Whoaaaa” again. We joke about him doing that all the time, but except for Bill and Ted and The Matrix, does he ever actually say that in movies? I’m almost certain he said it once or twice as Neo in ‘The Matrix’. EDIT: duh, I missed you referencing The Matrix. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/66 "2020-08-28T14:35:57Z")
I suspect this movie will be most triumphant. I mean, Bogus Journey was pretty good. Not as good as Excellent Adventure, but very good. Much of the appeal of Bill and Ted movies is, well, Bill and Ted. They’re so likeable. They’re also not like other comedy duos. They aren’t an odd couple duo,m for one thing. Usually a comedy duo is made of two conflicting personalities. The asshole and the silly one is a classic - Laurel and Hardy, Ren and Stimpy. The uptight guy and the slob - Felix and Oscar, Harold and Kumar. Bill and Ted are fundamentally interchangeable, and the guys who write the movies use that to their advantage. One thing the first two B&T movies did not have was a late second act conflict. Typically, in such films, the duo is physically or emotionally separate by a conflict between themselves at some point two thirtds of the way through the movie. In the third act the plot causes them to reunite, which is instrumental in how they overcome the primary obstacle. B&T 1 and 2 don’t do this, which is really odd. The buddies stick together throughout the films and almost never argue; the longest they are ever apart is when they face their own personal hells in Bogus Journey, and they do it on purpose and it doesn’t last long. It works, and is consistent with their characters’ sweet natures. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/67 "2020-08-28T16:12:15Z")
Did Jimmy Hendrix bring an amp with electricity back to Vienna in the 1700’s? How else did he play his electric guitar? > [@RickJay](#): > > I suspect this movie will be most triumphant. I mean, Bogus Journey was pretty good. Not as good as Excellent Adventure, but very good. Bogus Journey is a lot funnier and better than the first one. This third one is less good. Unless it turns around in the last part, it is the weakest part. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/68 "2020-08-28T16:52:01Z")
OK, I’ll admit that the ending was nostalgic and cute enough to make me smile quite a bit. The weakest of the three movies, but it is not so bad to make me wish they didn’t make it. I just wish George Carlin could have been in it. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/69 "2020-08-29T04:29:22Z")
That was pretty awful. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/70 "2020-08-29T05:18:03Z")
I enjoyed that. I wasn’t expecting genius, but it felt like a good progression and a good way to use the time travel - the first went into the past to save their careers, the second into heaven and hell to save their lives, and the third went into the future to save time and space. It did feel like it was too short. The Princesses subplot didn’t seem to have a point, it felt like a bunch was cut out of that. And the daughters needed their Producer abilities demonstrated earlier on; Encyclopaedic knowledge of music history wasn’t enough. Also, the Direction was flat and unimaginative. But it made me laugh, smiling throughout, and I just enjoyed the gang being back together. They slipped back into the characters seamlessly. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/71 "2020-08-29T13:07:49Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > That was pretty awful. Last place of the Bill and Ted movies for sure. I read another review that said Alex Winter seemed more comfortable getting back into character than Keanu Reeves. That is actually true. Both guys did fine, but I think Winters slipped back in very smoothly. Reeves was only OK. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/72 "2020-08-29T13:59:33Z")
Dumb question — what did they do for a living? From the reviews I’ve read, as the movie begins they live in ordinary suburban houses, so must have some kind of middle-class employment. But I’m having trouble envisioning what kind of jobs middle-aged Bill and Ted would be holding down. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/73 "2020-08-29T14:16:16Z")
By 2020, they are reduced to gigs like performing at the Elks Club for a crowd of 40 people, most of whom are only there for $2 taco night. It’s not like they (or their 25-year-old kids) have day jobs. Good thing the Princesses do… ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/74 "2020-08-29T14:20:51Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > most of whom are only there for $2 taco night Whatever that is. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/75 "2020-08-29T14:39:25Z")
Ah, I had an idea the princesses wore the pants in the family. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/76 "2020-08-30T21:27:34Z")
Yeah, I think Cop Dad or someone had a line about the Princesses being the only ones employed in the families. I’d be impressed that they got the original Missy actress from the originals except I found her unrecognizable. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/77 "2020-08-30T22:06:11Z")
That was disappointing. I feel its like the terminator franchise, it should’ve ended on part 2. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/78 "2020-08-30T22:34:16Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Whatever that is. It’s Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/79 "2020-08-30T23:24:46Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I’d be impressed that they got the original Missy actress from the originals except I found her unrecognizable. Really? I could tell immediately it was her. But that was not the Deacon kid, right? Returning people were: Bill Ted Dad Missy Death Anyone else? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297/80 "2020-08-30T23:34:31Z")
Saw it a couple of nights ago. Meh. Harmless, but not something I’d ever go to a theater for. It was fine as sort of mindless background on TV. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-and-ted-face-the-music-out-this-summer-will-it-be-excellent-or-heinous/855297.md?page=5)