Bill & Ted Face the Music

In 2001, the satire Web site The Onion ran an article titled, "Alex Winter keeps bugging Keanu Reeves about third 'Bill & Ted' movie."

It was a funny joke at the time because Reeves just jumped into superstardom with "The Matrix" franchise. Many years later, Reeves would solidify his box office status with the acclaimed "John Wick" action series. It's already been announced that Reeves will reprise both roles in a fourth "Matrix' movie and a fourth (and fifth) "John Wick" installment.

Meanwhile, Alex Winter has spent the years directing lesser known documentaries and episodes of television series. Not the same stardom.

So it seemed that Reeves was throwing his buddy a bone by agreeing to appear in a third "Bill & Ted" movie. Another reason to love Keanu.

Turns out, the movie was actually worth making. A smart screenplay coupled with top-notch direction from Dean Parisot (who did cult classic "Galaxy Quest") make this years later sequel much funnier than it ought to be. It's not a comedy classic that will reel in those that weren't fans of the first two movies, but it's not the disaster that "Jay & Silent Bob Reboot" was.

"Bill & Ted Face the Music" includes references to both 1989's "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" and 1991's "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey." The eponymous duo is much older and still haven't written the great song that will unite the world, align the planet and create universal peace. Their moment in the sun as a famous 90s rock band has faded and now they're playing weddings. Their wives -- princess they picked up in the 1400s while time traveling in the first movie -- are getting fed up with them. The only people who still look up to Bill & Ted are their daughters, played by Samara Weaving ("The Babysitter") and Brigette Lundy-Payne. Their offspring look and talk like their dads but they seem to know a lot more about music and they are apparently more intelligent too.

Just like the first movie, there are trips back in time to pick up historical figures and just like the first sequel there's a trip to the afterlife, complete with a very funny cameo by William Sadler reprising his role as Death (he has some of the funniest lines in this movie).

Anthony Carrigan, known as mobster NoHo Hank in the HBO series "Barry," plays a futuristic robot sent to kill "Bill & Ted" and he steals most scenes he's in, constantly reminding people in an emotionally insecure way that his real name is Dennis Caleb McCoy.

Reeves gives an admirable performance but Winter actually seems to be better at delivering humorous lines. He needs it more.

Although their voices have changed in the 30-plus years (much deeper and gravelly), the chemistry between the two stars is still there and this new addition is actually quite fun. It's fast paced and full of silly scenes like the two sequels to "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" but obviously with more Sci-Fi.

In the end, this sweet hearted goofball comedy doesn't rely on gross-out humor, shocking jokes or political references to be relevant. It's message about the power of music to unite all people is actually needed right now and it's quite refreshing. It would be great if we all followed the message from Bill and Ted: "Be excellent to one another and party on, dudes!"

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gPGeAYo3yU[/embed]