Friday Night Movie: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

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This week in our Friday Night Movie series we’re hitting you with a blast from the past that’s just as absurdly fun as it was when it first dropped: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Directed by Stephen Herek this 1989 movie, is a quirky gem and an absolute must-watch for anyone who’s ever pondered what might happen if two slacker teens got their hands on a time machine...

If you haven't seen Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure — imagine blending the goofy charm of 80s teen comedies with the wild possibilities of time travel. You get a film that doesn’t just take you on a journey through history but also offers a nostalgic trip back to a time when phone booths were still a thing. It’s a movie that has managed to stay relevant by being exactly what it is—unapologetically ridiculous, endlessly quotable, and brimming with the kind of spirit that makes you want to throw your fist in the air and say, “Party on, dudes!”

Plot

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what makes Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure such a timeless joyride. The movie follows two high school buddies, Bill S. Preston, Esquire, and Ted “Theodore” Logan, who are on the brink of failing their history class — a situation that spells doom for their dreams of becoming rock gods with their band, Wyld Stallyns. However, as fate would have it, their future is way more important than they could ever imagine. We’re talking save-the-world level important.

Enter Rufus, a mysterious dude from the future who arrives in a time-travelling phone booth. His mission? To ensure that Bill and Ted pass their history report so they can keep the band together and ultimately create music that will unite the world... your classic movie script really.

With Rufus’ help, our clueless heroes embark on an adventure through time, collecting historical figures like Socrates (that’s “So-crates” to them), Napoleon, Joan of Arc, and more, all to ace their history report.

What follows is a whirlwind of hilarity as Bill and Ted bumble their way through history, trying to keep their newfound friends in check while ensuring they all make it back to the present in time for their report. It’s a ride filled with outlandish scenarios, absurd misunderstandings, and the kind of catchphrases that are still being quoted today.

Cast

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure boasts a cast that turned out to be the perfect mix of talent and timing. Before Speed and before The Matrix — Keanu Reeves, in one of his earliest roles, embodies Ted with such lovable cluelessness that it’s hard to imagine anyone else pulling it off. His “Whoa!” became iconic, and it’s easy to see why this role helped launch his career.

Alex Winter, as Bill, perfectly complements Reeves with his just as spaced-out demeanour, making the duo’s on-screen chemistry feel like a natural extension of their real-life friendship. Together, they’re the epitome of 80s teen slackers.

And then there’s George Carlin as Rufus. Known for his sharp wit and boundary-pushing comedy, Carlin brings a level of gravitas and humour to the role of their guide through time, grounding the movie’s more ridiculous elements with his deadpan delivery.

The supporting cast is filled with memorable portrayals of historical figures, from Terry Camilleri’s Napoleon, who discovers a love for waterslides, to Jane Wiedlin’s Joan of Arc, who takes aerobics to the next level.

Trailer

Reviews

Critics and audiences alike have had their say on Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and the verdict is overwhelmingly positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a solid 75% approval rating, with critics praising its “endearing silliness” and the chemistry between Reeves and Winter. It’s described as a film that “transcends its seemingly lowbrow premise,” delivering a story that’s as heartfelt as it is hilarious.

Over on IMDb, the film has a respectable score (though we feel underappreciated) of 6.5/10. Reviewers often mention the movie’s unique blend of humour and heart, noting how it’s a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still manages to leave a lasting impression.

Memorable Scenes

When it comes to memorable scenes, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is packed with moments that have become etched in pop culture history. A standout scene is the “mall scene,” where all the historical figures run amok in a modern-day shopping mall. Seeing Joan of Arc lead an aerobics class and Genghis Khan go wild in a sporting goods store is pure comedic gold.

Finally, the climactic history report presentation is a masterpiece of chaotic creativity, as Bill and Ted showcase their time-travelling adventures with the help of their historical pals. It’s the kind of over-the-top finale that perfectly encapsulates the film’s spirit — fun, absurd, and totally excellent.

How To Watch Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

Available to stream on Prime Video and Stan.

Until next week — “Be excellent to each other…and party on, dudes!”

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