Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991): A Retrospect

[Spirit Zero]

I do believe I saw this film at the cinema having no clue what it was about, I merely loved the visuals the trailer threw at you. Much like the original film I again watched this over and over during my youth and loved the adventure. You can clearly see from the first scene this film has totally gone down the colourful comicbook visual route but at the same time has opted for a slightly darker approach. The first film was fun for all ages but this time the bogus journey is aimed more for teens methinks.

This film is truly manic and a full on rollercoaster of thrills and spills. I do love the design and style of many aspects we see, the futuristic neon outfits at the start are a nice look. And despite the cliched idea I did like how the bad guys are all in black when everyone else is in heavenly white, the black costumes against the neon and white looks quite striking actually.

Its gotta be the imagination that earns the kudos mainly, even though much of the film is messy and too convoluted for its own good the variety of creations is a joy to watch. I really enjoyed the hijinx the pair get up to once they are killed by the evil robots, the evil robots themselves are seemingly a cheap get out of jail free card for less work by using Reeves and Winter in duo roles, but the small special effects we see when they remove their skin is fudging awesome. I really dug those transparent robotic exoskeletons we briefly see, they were really well done and always reminded me of those old transparent Competition Pro joysticks.

I think the epitome of this film and franchise is the sequence where the dead duo possess Ted's policeman dad and his Sgt. The whole effect is a seriously cheesy and now dated CGI visual trick that back in the day looked really sweet. From there on we get a fantastic little performance from Hal Landon and Roy Brocksmith as they take on the stoned surfer personalities of Bill and Ted.

From this point on the film becomes a surreal voyage into the afterlife with some neat visual tricks and nicely crafted ideas. Of course we all know the highlight of all this is William Sadler as Death, or the Grim Reaper. Best bit in the entire film has to be when Bill and Ted challenge him for the sake of their lives and they all end up playing board games like Twister and Cluedo. I think we all can agree seeing Death get upset and trying to cheat is fan-fudging-tastic!. it doesn't really get much better than this in all honesty, Death seems to go a bit camp as we progress and takes a back seat to the mayhem.

I must say I still don't quite get what the point of the devil scene was. The duo land on this boulder suspended in mid air by a chain, there are also many others in similar situations around them. The Devil seems to be in control of the winch that drags these boulders in towards this giant fire breathing dragon head with jaws that crush the boulders. But what's the point of all this? why is the Devil just standing there doing this? are these unfortunate souls suppose to be burnt up when dragged into this gaping fire breathing maw? and why did the Devil let the duo escape this fate by climbing off the boulder at the last minute?. The other thing that made me think was the way the duo escape their own personal hell's. Does this mean that Death is more powerful than the Devil? because he just bails them out easy peasy. Must say I did like the rubber suit and makeup used for the Devil, pretty intimidating for a young persons film.

As we near the big finale which is again another stage show setup, things get even more wacky as ideas bustle for screen time. Bill and ted make good robots of themselves helped by 'Station' who is a pair of identical genius aliens they brought back with them from the afterlife in heaven, Death also tags along. Again the hands on suit effects for these robots are really nicely done, deliberately tacky looking but well performed by whoever underneath with those robotic movements we've all seen. Station the alien fares less favourably as he looks kinda evil to me, he's pretty ugly and when he speaks his mouth doesn't really sync up at all, its a bit basic really. And why we needed that morphing of the two I don't know, very odd inclusion.

End of the day I prefer the original film over this bright hyper dream-like comicbook offering. Back in the day I would have said the opposite as I preferred this sequel back then. I guess it was all the big bold effects that won me over back then, the wow factor and being very young. Now I'm older and much much wiser (ahem) I can see that the first film has much more charm, a way better beat tapping soundtrack, its funnier with better performances and its just more enjoyable overall. This film is visually more impressive and has more action as such, but its just not as funny or as clever with its casting. Winter clearly gets better here whilst Reeves clearly gets worse...all he can do is bob his head around like a lunatic and pout from behind his curtain style locks. That selection of amusing cast members for the original really boosts that film even though its a little bit more childish.

'Bogus Journey' is bigger and bolder for sure and to that extent it gives the viewer what they paid for. In my mind they kinda sacrifice funny performances and charm for in your face effects. The effects and imagination are excellent for the time don't get me wrong, but if it wasn't for Sadler as Death this film would be sorely lacking in the character department. Its definitely a film of its time and I don't know what kids today would think of it (probably think its a Turtles rip off), but in my opinion bigger with more money doesn't always mean better.

7.5/10

[The Edge]

I have to disagree with you on the music choices on the first film. While I'm proud that my grandmother Stanzi Stokes was the casting director on the first film (shameless plug), the songs were from bands that very very few people would recognize outside the film. Most of the songs weren't very good. Bogus Journey had songs from bands that were more alternative and a little more well known and were kinda good. Hopefully if a second sequel does get made, they will pick better bands.

[Spirit Zero]

Originally Posted by The Edge

I have to disagree with you on the music choices on the first film. While I'm proud that my grandmother Stanzi Stokes was the casting director on the first film (shameless plug), the songs were from bands that very very few people would recognize outside the film. Most of the songs weren't very good. Bogus Journey had songs from bands that were more alternative and a little more well known and were kinda good. Hopefully if a second sequel does get made, they will pick better bands.

Hmmmmmmmmm I dunno, the tunes in the first film were unknown to me yes, but blow me they solid The scene where the duo zap down to pick up a young Joan of Arc and the track by Power Tool kicks in is awesome just because of that track, it rocks!.

TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE BY POWER TOOL - YouTube

Ditto when Napoleon is having fun at the Waterloo waterpark, the montage works down to the track.

In 'Bogus Journey' there are more well known bands true but the tunes are heavier, darker and not really as much fun for me. This is mainly because this sequel was suppose to be darker and based in hell.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by The Edge

I have to disagree with you on the music choices on the first film. While I'm proud that my grandmother Stanzi Stokes was the casting director on the first film (shameless plug), the songs were from bands that very very few people would recognize outside the film. Most of the songs weren't very good. Bogus Journey had songs from bands that were more alternative and a little more well known and were kinda good. Hopefully if a second sequel does get made, they will pick better bands.

every song from both movies was perfect. Especially the first. I would much rather have soundtracks full of bands people havent heard of and can be exposed to than just fill it with already well-known bands.

[cinemaphile]

P.S. Power Tool IS a well known band. Remember "Nelson"? The long haired twin sons of Ricky Nelson who sang "Love and Affection"? Yeah, that's them.

[Show spoiler]

[pitmosher]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

P.S. Power Tool IS a well known band. Remember "Nelson"? The long haired twin sons of Ricky Nelson who sang "Love and Affection"? Yeah, that's them.

woah!!!! ~Keanu

[Spirit Zero]

Its obviously a sign that this sequel wasn't as popular because it hasn't had as much attention as my retro for the first film hehe.

[LegacyCosts]

Originally Posted by Spirit Zero

Its obviously a sign that this sequel wasn't as popular because it hasn't had as much attention as my retro for the first film hehe.

I always liked bogus journey more myself. Death and the trip to hell were a blast. I like the faith no more track when they're being hauled to the desert by the evil robots. I remember a snazzy bass line but its been a long time.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by Spirit Zero

Its obviously a sign that this sequel wasn't as popular because it hasn't had as much attention as my retro for the first film hehe.

no, people just use the thread on a "first" film to discuss the whole series

Me, I love em both.

[L-Rouge]

Saw this at the cinema as a double feature with The Adams Family. I have seen this less than a handful of times, so my memories aren't as strong. I do remember enjoying this though, and really grossed out at these two blob things who merge together, unless that is another movie. Haha

[cinemaphile]

When this came out, I was a HUGE Bill & Ted fan. My brother and I even dressed up as Bill & Ted when we went to the first showing of the sequel.
I was even a member of the official fan club LOL. I still have a bunch of stuff from back in the day:
Comics, trading cards, fan club packets, posters, my car's license plate LOL...



not shown (but around here somewhere: action figures, one-sheet posters, cereal box, cd soundtracks, and some other odds and ends... and of course the blu-ray)

[Col. Zombie]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

P.S. Power Tool IS a well known band. Remember "Nelson"? The long haired twin sons of Ricky Nelson who sang "Love and Affection"? Yeah, that's them.

And they showed up later in another Keanu Reeves flick...

[Show spoiler]Not really, but that's what folks said...

[The Edge]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

P.S. Power Tool IS a well known band. Remember "Nelson"? The long haired twin sons of Ricky Nelson who sang "Love and Affection"? Yeah, that's them.

Outside the original film, I've never heard of Power Tool. Bear in mind, I was only 8-9 years old when it came out and 11 when I saw it on VHS, because the casting director from that film gave me the VHS as a birthday gift.

[klauswhereareyou]

Originally Posted by Spirit Zero

Its obviously a sign that this sequel wasn't as popular because it hasn't had as much attention as my retro for the first film hehe.

Well and the fact they never made a Bill and Ted 3 back in the 90's. Still I like the film a lot. I don't like it as much as the first, but there's a much I like.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by The Edge

Outside the original film, I've never heard of Power Tool. Bear in mind, I was only 8-9 years old when it came out and 11 when I saw it on VHS, because the casting director from that film gave me the VHS as a birthday gift.

that's because they never released anything else under that name. At the time they hadn't yet completed their album and their manager at the time didn't want them to just use Nelson, so they put the song on the soundtrack under Power Tool. By the time they finished their album they decided to go ahead and use Nelson.

wow, I know way too much about this.
I first found out it was them when they explained it before playing the song at a live concert when I saw them back in like 1991 LOL

[The Edge]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

that's because they never released anything else under that name. At the time they hadn't yet completed their album and their manager at the time didn't want them to just use Nelson, so they put the song on the soundtrack under Power Tool. By the time they finished their album they decided to go ahead and use Nelson.

wow, I know way too much about this.
I first found out it was them when they explained it before playing the song at a live concert when I saw them back in like 1991 LOL

To be honest, I never heard of Nelson, either. Lol did they have some songs on radio?

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by The Edge

To be honest, I never heard of Nelson, either. Lol did they have some songs on radio?

Yeah back in like 1990-92

[Show spoiler]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1W6-ErrHls

[The Edge]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

Yeah back in like 1990-92

[Show spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1W6-ErrHls

Looks like they came in at the wrong time for music.

[BanditoDorito]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Well and the fact they never made a Bill and Ted 3 back in the 90's. Still I like the film a lot. I don't like it as much as the first, but there's a much I like.

I believe they were planning on making Bill & Ted 3 in the 90's but Orion pictures went bankrupt

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by BanditoDorito

I believe they were planning on making Bill & Ted 3 in the 90's but Orion pictures went bankrupt

it's going to get made eventually. Reeves and Winter are on board and the script is undergoing rewrites right now. It's just a matter of budget and timing.