This film was meant to be the Gen X savior after Rise of Skywalker slapped us all across the face with its lightsaber. Then, the pandemic happened. Our entire worlds changed. We glitched.
Let’s see what the fine folks at Wikipedia have to say about this film:
Bill & Ted Face the Music is a 2020 American science fiction comedy film directed by Dean Parisot and written by Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon. It is the third film in the Bill & Ted film series, and the sequel to Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991).[5] Alex Winter, Keanu Reeves, and William Sadler reprise their roles as Bill, Ted, and the Grim Reaper, respectively; while Kristen Schaal, Samara Weaving, Jack Haven[a], Anthony Carrigan, Erinn Hayes, Jayma Mays, Holland Taylor, Kid Cudi, Jillian Bell and Beck Bennett join the cast. In the film, Bill and Ted must write a song to unite humanity before space-time is destroyed. The script was laid out as early as 2010, but a production deal was not confirmed until 2018. Filming commenced on July 1, 2019.[6][7][8]
Bill & Ted Face the Music was simultaneously released in theaters and through Premium VOD in the United States on August 28, 2020, by United Artists Releasing.[9][10] It received generally positive reviews from critics for the performances and story, with many calling it a welcome return to form for the series.
The pandemic robbed us. It was meant to be seen in theaters with friends who grew up with the other two films and unite our world across our differences. We can never have that moment back. If only we had a time machine…
Bill and Ted face the music was one of, if not the first mainstream film to be produced and released during the pandemic. It released on streaming, while we were stuck in rooms with people who didn’t get it.
As a multiple-failed artist staring down the barrel of middle age, I related to this film on so many levels. There is a group who exists within my age range who watched Excellent Adventure and Bogus Journey on repeat during our late teens and early twenties. Some of us may have lost our virginity to one of these films; both if they were lucky. First timers usually don’t last that long.
The Bill and Ted saga came from a world when rock and roll ruled, and the fascist baddies always lost. We no longer live in that world, guys. I feel that when we needed this film the most, those who opposed made sure we were all separated upon its release. That way, we couldn’t be united against their nonsense.
This film was made for fans, but not casual ones. For those who grew up side by side with the titular characters. We’re all the same age now, and there’s moments I feel I’ve lived in reality. Could it have used a bit of tweaking from some test screenings? Absolutely. Is almost everyone involved with this project having the time of their lives? You bet. Still, the production feels like a Netflix movie or something made specifically for streaming platforms. They never feel like theatrical releases.
If you’re a fan from the eighties and nineties, and have lived vicariously through music since, then this film will speak to you. Watch it with a fantastic sound system, or over-the ear-headphones, and zone out. Check your brain at the door, because we didn’t have rational brains when the first two films released decades ago. It’s no more believable than time traveling phone booths, or trips to Hell. Of all the 80’s legacy franchise sequels, I can’t help but think that this one has the best ending. The only way to screw up this trilogy would be a fourth film. As of this writing, we’re still good.
It’s only drawback is that it wasn’t made for people without either Bill & Ted or music knowledge, and that’s a vast audience when released into individual homes. Sometimes, a fan is made out of a plus-one, or a friend, sibling, or co-worker. We were isolated when it came out. If our personalities didn’t sell it, it wasn’t going to sell itself.
In closing, the last line of this movie said it all in a time when more people needed to hear it:
And so, it wasn’t so much the song that made the difference. — Billie // It was everyone playing it together. — Thea
4/5 most bodacious air-guitar power chords
The Gonzo Wolf 
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