CERT: PG / PLATFORM: BLU-RAY 4K / RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 10TH
Two dopey sorts in danger of being booted out of school end up travelling back in time to meet some of history’s most famous figures, so that said duo’s Wyld Stallyns band can stay together and create a truly excellent future for civilisation.
That right there is the crux of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure – but then, you’re likely already well aware of that, given that the movie is now 31 years old.
Ahead of Bill & Ted Face the Music hitting cinemas and VOD in just a matter of weeks (August 28th, to be precise), Excellent Adventure has been given a shiny new 4K do-over by StudioCanal. As such, if you’re reading this review, chances are you’re here to see whether this latest release of an old favourite is worth shilling out for.
Firstly, the Ultra HD 4K picture is absolutely phenomenal, bringing an obvious level of crisp sheen to the charm of Stephen Herek’s movie. The antics of Alex Winter’s Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Keanu Reeves’ Ted Theodore Logan have never looked better, with the charm of the various different settings of the titular adventure through time popping from the screen.
While the 4K restoration is clearly a major selling point of this new Excellent Adventure release, elsewhere there are a ludicrous amount of special features to devour. A couple of audio commentaries – one with Alex Winter and producer Scott Kroopf, one with writers Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon – are particular standouts, and the Time Flies When You’re Having Fun! lookback featurette will stir up all sorts of warm and fuzzy feelings for long-time fans of Wyld Stallyns. It would also be remiss of us not to point out the all-kinds-of-fun air guitar tutorial or the episode of the criminally underrated Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures cartoon as other enjoyable pieces of bonus material.
All in all, this is well and truly a most triumphant new release that’s well worth picking up.
