BILL AND TED'S BOGUS JOURNEY
US, 1991, 98 minutes, Colour.
Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, William Sadlier, Joss Ackland, Pam Grier, George Carlin.
Directed by Peter Hewitt.
Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey is a sequel to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989). Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves are Bill and Ted, versions of '90s nerds who nevertheless, despite their stupidity and their style, are proclaimed as heroes and saviours of the world. In 2691 there is a University of Bill and Ted in San Demas, California. The evil ex-gym teacher there, De Nomolos (Joss Ackland) wants to destroy Bill and Ted and so sends replicants back to 1991 to prevent them winning `The Battle of the Bands'. Bill and Ted are killed by the replicants - but journey into Hell and into Heaven (quite striking images of both places as well as some humour in their audience with God).
The film relies on the personalities of the two leads, their style and, especially, their vocabulary (with nods to Wayne's World and characters from Saturday Night Live). As with the first film, historical characters make their appearances - to comic effect.
Director Peter Hewitt was to write and direct one of the most pleasing films of 1998, Sliding Doors.
The films are cult films - and indicate a kind of pop humour very popular in the late '80s and early '90s.
1.The popularity of the original? Sequel? The Saturday Night Live style? The ethos and style of Bill and Ted? Their vocabulary? The appeal of time travel, the confrontation between good and evil? Fantasy and special effects?
2.The contrast between 1691 and 1991? The ordinary and the extraordinary? The university, the desert? The decor and costumes for Hell and Heaven?
3.The range of the musical score, the songs, themes of the Grim Reaper and death? The Reaper Rap? The battle of the bands?
4.The title and the focus on Bill and Ted? The false Bill and Ted? The cast and their differing styles?
5.The future, the university, De Nomolos and his evil genius, his plans, setting up the replicants, sending them back to 1991 to destroy the bands?
6.San Demas in 1991, the university, families, the city? The music, Bill and Ted as saviours? The contest? Miss Wardrobe looking after them? Bill and Ted and their English girlfriends - from a previous trip through time?
7.The replicants, their lies to the girls, taking Bill and Ted out into the desert, the death sequences?
8.The arrival of the Grim Reaper, the parody of Ingmar Bergman and the Seventh Seal? Arrival, wanting to take Bill and Ted, not coping well with their vocabulary, their outwitting him? Their going to San Demas, to confront the evil Bill and Ted and the girls? Lacking bodies, taking over Ted's father and the alert to people about the fake Bills and Teds?
9.The seance, the role of Missy and her relationship to Ted's father and to Ted - Bill and Ted going down into Hell, the nightmares from childhood? Bill's memories - and Alex Winter taking on the role of his grandmother?
10.The game with death, outwitting death, making the transition to the courtyards of Heaven, the testing out, getting the clothes from the other people arriving in heaven? The visuals of the heavenly court, the interview with God - and praising God for creation? The Grim Reaper going along - and apologies to God?
11.Station and God's gift to Bill and Ted, his ability to make replicants who would confront the evil replicants?
12.The build-up to the concert, the crowds, the bands, the three Bills and three Teds and the struggles? De Nomolos coming from the future and controlling the television?
13.Miss Wardrobe and her really being Rufus, their guardian? His rescue? Taking him into the future for long training? The split-second absence and their coming back and winning?
14.The parade of historical figures and making them genial figures of fun?
15.The end, the true Bill and Ted save the world, save music? Station and his performing with them? The Grim Reaper performing on base? Their world-liberating success - and even intergalactic gigs as on Mars?
