Review of Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) by Gianluca C — 18 Oct 2012

Not as good as the first, but still enjoyable. I enjoy the O.T.T sets and costumes, the music is great and William Sadler as Death steals the show. He's my favourite character in the film. "Don't overlook my butt. I work out all the time. And reaping burns a lot of calories.".

I do have a few bones to pick with this film; When Bill and Ted enter Heaven, they beat up 3 people and take their clothes. 1. Bill and Ted would NEVER do that! 2. They're in Heaven, how is this possible? 3. They beat Death, they would have access anyway. 4. God is okay with that? It makes no sense at all. What was the point of that scene?

Another thing I hate is the Stations. All of a sudden, we're in a different movie. Look at the style of the first one and look at the style of this one. They don't belong in a Bill and Ted movie at all. Neither does the Easter Bunny. They look too silly to be in Bill and Ted. Imagine if those characters were in the first film?

Well, that's what happens when you have Peter Hewitt behind the camera.

The special effects for a 90's film, have not aged well. The Hell scenes are plagued by black lines around Bill and Ted as they arrive. Also any scene with the real Bill and Ted and the robot Bill and Ted are plagued with dodgy mattes and obvious stand ins. The worse example is when Bill and Ted leave the apartment with their robot selves and we see stand-ins that look nothing like Keanu or Alex.

One more bone to pick is that Joanna and Elizabeth's "English" accents aren't the least bit convincing.

However, the best scene is when Bill and Ted are playing games against Death. This is a spoof on The Seventh Seal where a knight has to play chess against Death. Bill and Ted beat him every time and he can't accept losing. That scene lets you know Death is a funny character.

The finale is really good. The first one had a great finale, but I think the finale in this is better. Also, Bill and Ted performing KISS's "God gave Rock and Roll to you" is brilliant. It's one of the best songs ever.

Overall, Bogus Journey is not as superior as Excellent Adventure. But it's a fun 90's movie. (cue guitar riff).