Bill & Ted came along at just the right time in my life. In 1989, I was a senior in high school, and the characters, their speech, and their general attitudes resonated with me. I joined them on their Excellent Adventure a couple of times in theaters, and in 1991 when they went on a Bogus Journey, I went along with them.

Now, a number of years on, they’ve come back for one last go-round, and once again, are the relatable and goofy characters they’ve always been.

Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves – it’s hard to get used to him without the beard) are older, married, parents, and still haunted by their destiny, writing a song that will unite the world and begin a new peaceful era.

Their marriage to the princesses seems to be a little rocky, but their daughters, Thea (Samara Weaving) and Billie (Brigette Lundy-Paine) still believe in them, and have become musically inclined themselves,

When Rufus’ daughter, Kelly (Kristen Schaal) arrives from the future with a dire warning, all of space-time will come apart this very evening if ‘the song’ isn’t played, Bill & Ted’s come up with a plan; travel to the point in time when they’ve written the song and steal it from themselves.

Billie and Thea come up with a plan to help their dads, they will travel in time and throw together the most amazing band ever!

Throw in a side plot that sees the princesses, Elizabeth (Erinn Hayes) and Joanna (Jayma Mays) looking for a timeline where they are happiest with Bill and Ted, and Kelly’s mother, The Great Leader (Holland Taylor) has sent a killer robot (Anthony Carrigan) after the Wyld Stallyns.

There are wonderful continuity threads involving the other recurring characters in the series, and Death (William Sadler) makes a fun appearance.

Much like the other two films there’s an honesty to Bill & Ted, and that allows the viewer to settle in and just go along with the ride. Like all entries in the series, they are all different from one another, but the characters are a constant, even though they’ve all gotten older, just like the viewer.

I remember watching this just as the lockdowns were happening and it was just the kind of joy I needed at the time. I hadn’t watch it since, but now, a second time through the film, I really dug it. I love the character bits, the little nods to continuity, and just the wonderful portrayals of characters I have grown up with.

I adore all three films, and they all remind me of specific moments in my life. So much fun, and so many memories.