Bill and Ted
“Socrates strolls through the crowded high school auditorium in a bathrobe, nodding hello to Sigmund Freud, as Genghis Khan swings his battlestaff nearby. Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon Bonaparte and Billy the Kid sink back in the plush seats, while Joan of Arc plays with her dog. On stage, Beethoven faces a large array of synthesizers, with a computerized lighting system to introduce him to the MTV generation.
The center of attention, however, is two teenage boys who have brought these legendary figures to the present-day to help them pass a history class.
It’s all part of the madness of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, a high-spirited comedy-adventure ranging from the Dawn of Time to the 27th century. With the futuristic assistance of Rufus, played by George (Outrageous Fortune) Carlin, Bill and Ted travel the circuits of time to round up the ingredients for a successful history project. But are the likes of Billy the Kid and Napoleon Bonaparte ready for shopping malls and waterparks?” Starlog Magazine (May 1998, Number 30)
Nothing sums up the late 80s and early 90s like Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) and it’s sequel Bogus Journey (1991). Starring Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves as Bill and Ted, the movies depicted their “excellent” adventures and the characters they meet along the way and ultimately take back with them to their own time in San Dimas, California, dude.
Nowadays, San Dimas is only known for Raging Waters and sadly no futuristic Academy dedicated to Bill and Ted, although the city council should consider such a government investment. You’d have to see the second movie to appreciate that comment, otherwise its just confusing, isn’t it?
As far as the stars are concerned, since Bill and Ted they’ve approached a multitude of projects. Alex Winter’s Freaked, a movie about freaks stars Winter as a normal Joe who is transformed into a green disfigured winged creature. He meets other freaks along the way and eventually, through careful sluething, figures out why the freaks exist. As far as Keanu Reeves is concerned, he’s done quite well with the Matrix trilogy and of course that role in Steve Martin’s Parenthood in the early 90s. George (Outrageous Fortune) Carlin has been making comedy appearances all over the globe and various guest spots on television and in the movies.
Let us not forget the role of Death (aka Grim Reaper) in 1991’s Bogus Journey played by the fantastic actor William Sadler. Sadler’s most recent movie appearance was in the Green Mile playing Klaus Detterick and as the Sheriff in WB’s ex-Alien series Roswell.
Despite the 12-year gap from Bogus Journey to now, according to Keanu and Winters they plan on revisiting their characters in a movie that will depict Bill and Ted in their excellent 40’s. Considering both of the actors are nearing their 40s (pending mid-life crisis), it’s a bold step for each but a welcomed one at that. Let’s hope that they craft a excellent script and ultimately create a most excellent of a movie.
Dude.
For more Bill and Ted-related info, please visit BillandTed.org and XE’s Bill and Ted’s Excellent cereal write-up.
5 Comments, Comment or Ping
max
I LOVE Freaked! Randy Quaid cracked me up in that movie. I think Sadler is in it also… as one of the execs?
Oct 29th, 2004
Matt Burris
Dude! No way! Excellent! *air guitar*
It’s so great to hear that, I was thinking about these movies the other day and how much I enjoyed them when I was a teenager. They were educational, as well as highly entertaining. I always imagine what it’d be like to bring forward someone from the past to see how the world has changed, or going back with a bottle of Pepsi and a Snickers bar and ruling the world. :)
Oct 31st, 2004
kartooner
If I had the chance to bring someone from the past to experience our present, or their future, I’d pluck Lincoln and Einstein from their humble abodes.
The question remains what I’d show these historical figures to peak their interest? Granted, just about every technological device would floor them.
Now that I’m thinking about it, I think I’d take them bunjie jumping.
Nov 1st, 2004
Mike
It’s so awesome to hear that there may be another excellent adventure. It could be, like, totally radical.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is right up there with One Crazy Summer and, my all time favorite, The Money Pit. The late 80’s gave us some really timeless classics.
Nov 5th, 2004
^(Da_Vinci)^
Hey i totally loved billandted when i was a kid and i still do, for me the movies are kind of like inspiration, it’s pretty awesome to think a society as excellent as 27th century San Dimas could be possible. Who knows mayby if enough us beleive in it it’l happen one day.
Be Excellent To Eachother and Party On Dudes!!!
Nov 6th, 2004
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