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Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
review by Zach B.
Rated PG
Running Time: 90 minutes
Starring Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, George Carlin
Written by Chris Matheson & Ed Solomon
Directed by Stephen Herek
Studio: MGM
Retail Price: $14.98
Features: Theatrical Trailer
Specs: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English 5.1 Dolby
Digital, English Subtitles, French Subtitles, Spanish
Subtitles, English Closed Captions, Scene Selections (16
Scenes)
Released: December 11th, 2001
Yes, finally... "Bill & Ted" on DVD. What joy. It's a
bit hard to believe it's only thirteen years since the duo
made their debut. Somehow, someway, the film made its way
into pop culture rather strongly. Even if Alex Winter didn't
go on to giant things, he'll still be known as Bill (and
perhaps typecasted too). Keanu Reeves for a bit was
stereotyped as Ted... and the usual stoner dude. With their
catchphrases "EXCELLENT!" "NO WAY!" and more, "Bill &
Ted's Excellent Adventure" somehow just crept into our
hearts and has become a comedy favorite during the past few
years. Even if Keanu has broken his mold and made a variety
of other films ("Speed," "The Matrix"), he'll also be known
for his role as Ted. But what makes "Bill & Ted" the
movie it is? Let's see...
Our classic story finds our California empty-headed teens
Bill and Ted (Winter and Reeves, as mentioned) who are on
the verge of flunking history which will lead to them being
kicked out of school. If Ted flunks, he's off to military
school by order of his strict dad (bummer!). However, when a
man from the future, Rufus (George Carlin) comes to vist
them, the duo gain access to a phone booth that travels
across the time. It's up for the two to learn... and in the
process, not to try and mess up history.
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" is truly one of my
favorite 1980s films, and is a comedy I am extremley fond of
for some reason or another. The characters, whether they are
historical or fictional, are really likable. But despite the
laughs, great one-liners, sharp writing and cool characters,
to me, it's a really great concept (all of this courtesy of
Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon). They know what historical
characters to use, how it all fits and simply how to create
a rather intriguing and fun story. I suppose there are some
out there who wish they could travel back in time to learn
first hand. It's just really clever and it works so well.
Stephen Herek's direction is fine as he sets up all the
backdrops and sets the movie at a good pace. The acting here
is also great. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter have great
chemistry and I can only really imagine them as the two
(probably since we're all used to by now). And of course,
there's the great George Carlin as rufus and David Newman's
worthy score.
The popularity of the film set much off. An action figure
line, t-shirts and even a cartoon series I remember watching
ocassionally on Saturday mornings during the 1990-1991
season. While I'm not such a big fan of the sequel, the
original is surely worth checking out if you've never seen
it and you're sure to have a good time. Party on dudes!
The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer is nothing
spectacular, unfortunatley. Colors and fleshtones are
decent. I felt there could have been some more saturation to
the colors. Black levels and detail are also okay. Still,
what really bring this transfer down is the softness and the
constant annoyances: scratches, blemishes, dirt, grain... it
gets annoying fast. Still, you could do a lot worse, and
it's nice to see the movie in widescreen.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital English track doesn't fare much
better. It's a decent remix, but I was a disappointed at the
lack of .1 LFE and surround use throughout the track. There
are some surrounds, but not as active as I thought they
would be and I did expect more surrounds. Still, dialogue is
clear and you can hear it, and there's nothing to overpower
anything. Fidelity is nothing spectacular. It's just a okay
and a bit disappointing. Nothing more or nothing less.
English closed captions and subtitles plus subtitles in
French and Spanish are included.
The fun Theatrical Trailer is included in
anamorphic widescreen. How could would this be if there was
a special edition... commentaries, outtakes... oh well. A
guy can dream right?
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" is fine
entertainment and really worth looking into if you have
never seen it. While I hoped for a better presentation and
would have liked extras, you can snag it at a good price,
and makes it worthy to have in any DVD collection.
 (4/5 - NOT included in
final score)
 (3/5)
(3/5)
 (.5/5)
(3/5,
NOT an average)
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