Disc Reviews
Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey 4K Review
A rather belated 4K release for Bill and Ted’s second outing, but here it is, and it comes with all sorts of fun-packed extras and glory.
Released only a few years after the first film’s success, Bogus Journey sees Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) on the very slow path to their eventual glory in modern times, but a dastardly villain from the future (Joss Ackland) sends back evil robot clones of them to murder the pair and then set about dismantling their lives so they no longer go on to become the saviours of the universe (Which we learned they would go onto do from the first movie).
Thankfully, death is not the end, and the two traverse the afterlife to find a way back. This means doing a runner from death, possessing the living, being sent to hell, facing their worst fears (Alex Winter in particular has fun playing a version of his own grandmother in his own personal nightmare that is a gross but also comedic highlight of the film) – and eventually they end up back in death’s path which actually presents the way back home – via the heavens of course!
The first half of the film throws a lot at the wall, and it all largely sticks, proving that there is nothing stale about the premise of following these two dim-witted but lovable dudes around the different planes of existence. The back end of the film becomes a bit more hit and miss depending on your taste. There is a slight loss of momentum when they stop to pick up an alien species who helps them out in the third act. This character alone could make or break the laughs for you.
Like the original, the film has achieved cult status. It remains to be seen if the very belated third part of the trilogy attains as such too.
All of the cast are on point here; the look of it is somewhat very dated to the early 90s, but that remains part of its charm. The song soundtrack is a major high point – especially if you like your rock and are into the likes of Faith No More (The reason why I bought the soundtrack back in the day!), Primus, Kiss and many more. Jim Martin (then guitarist from Faith No More) puts in a cameo performance and even has a couple of lines. Hilarious to watch now, as soon after the film came out, he left the band.
George Carlin returns as their mentor Rufus, in a slightly diminished role, but the limelight is all but stolen by William Sadler’s Death, a great send-up of the character for The Seventh Seal.
The sound and video are top-notch, and the extras package is loaded. Not one but two retrospective making-of docs, two commentary tracks, and a variety of small vignettes including Steve Vai showing up to explain where his work appeared. If the film is going to be about the best Guitar, then get the best in!
Steven Hurst
4K ULTRA HD BLU–RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless stereo audio
• Optional remixed DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary by actor Alex Winter and producer Scoot Kroopf
• Audio commentary by co-writers/co-producers Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon
• Bill and Ted Go to Hell, a 2016 retrospective documentary, featuring interviews with Reeves, Winter, Kroopf, Matheson, production designer David L. Snyder, production illustrator Simon Murton, and actors William Sadler, Amy Stock-Poynton and Hal Landon Jr.
• The Most Triumphant Making Of, a 2005 retrospective making-of featurette, featuring interviews with Winter, Kroopf, Matheson, Solomon, Hewitt, and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure director Stephen Herek and production designer Roy Forge Smith
• Score!, a 2005 interview with guitarist Steve Vai
• Air Guitar Tutorial
• Vintage behind-the-scenes EPK from 1991
• The Linguistic Stylings of Bill & Ted, a 2005 decoding our heroes’ distinctive verbal quirks
• Theatrical trailer
• Image gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
• Collectors’ booklet featuring original production notes and a Bill & Ted Speak glossary
Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey 4K is released on 17th August