The success of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure came as a mild shock to many in the world of filmmaking. The premise is just north of a Tim and Eric sketch: A duo of kinder, gentler Spicoli clones make their way through time kidnapping historical figures with the help of a George Carlin clad in Ray-Bans on a quest to get an A in history class. Yet, somehow, the heart and humor of the movie managed to resonate with 1988’s movie going public, delivering a bonafide hit that saw a sequel (Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey) rushed into production along with a glut of tie-in merchandise: Bill and Ted were featured in everything from breakfast cereal to Saturday morning cartoons to video games. For a joyous few years, Bill and Ted could enjoy their time in the spotlight. However, unlike the vast majority of brief hits in the 80s and 90s, the praise of Bill and Ted only seemed to grow with age. Now twenty eight years past its original release date, the Bill and Ted films enjoy a comfortable place in the nostalgic memories of millions of filmgoers. Few films depict successful utopias and I would argue that no utopia on film is as hopeful and encouraging as the rock n’ roll paradise that Bill and Ted’s band Wyld Stallyns bring to life, all through the power of rock ‘n roll.
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