Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)
65%RT Audience Score: 56%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 1 nomination
Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey has the same stars — and cheerfully wacky sense of humor — as its predecessor, but they prove a far less effective combination the second time around
Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey is a wild ride that’s perfect for fans of the franchise. While some critics may have found it lacking, I found it to be a hilarious and inventive sequel that kept me entertained from start to finish. The addition of Death as a character was a stroke of genius, and William Sadler’s performance steals the show. Sure, it may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a fun and nonsensical journey, this movie is definitely worth a watch.
Production Company(ies)
Aurum Film Canal+ Polska W F S Walter Film Studio,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park – 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
PG
Year of Release
1991
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):English, Italian, Russian
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Dec 4, 2001
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, William Sadler, Joss Ackland, Pam Grier, George Carlin, directed by Peter Hewitt, written by Chris Matheson, Ed Solomon, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Carrie Rickey, John Hartl, Michael Wilmington, Gene Siskel, Jay Boyar, Dave Kehr, Mike Massie, Federico Furzan, Kevin A Ranson, Tim Brayton, Sean Axmaker, PG rating, Scott Kroopf produced, Bill & Ted franchise, De Nomolos, evil robot duplicates, Grim Reaper, afterlife, games, fantasy adventure, special effects, computer animation, sets, props, humor, satire, horror movies, MCU movies, Netflix series, TV shows, streaming movies, most popular, trending on RT
Worldwide gross: $38,039,850
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $83,968,827
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,102
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 9,156,906
US/Canada gross: $38,037,513
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $83,963,668
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 835
US/Canada opening weekend: $10,241,268
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $22,606,484
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 597
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $20,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $44,147,822
Production budget ranking: 880
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $23,773,602
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $16,047,402
ROI to date (est.): 24%
ROI ranking: 1,273
Alex Winter – Bill, Granny Preston
William Sadler – Grim Reaper
Joss Ackland – De Nomolos
Pam Grier – Ms. Wardroe
George Carlin – Rufus
Director(s)
Peter Hewitt
Writer(s)
Chris Matheson, Ed Solomon
Producer(s)
Scott Kroopf
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (54) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (24)
Once Bill and Ted get out of hell, though, their film loses it — in more ways than one.
July 29, 2016 | Rating: 2.5/4
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
Reeves and Winter are clearly having a wonderful time. The enthusiasm is contagious.
July 29, 2016 | Rating: 2.5/4
John Hartl
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
In almost every respect, Bogus Journey is better than the original: more imaginative, more opulent, wilder and freer, more excitingly visualized.
July 29, 2016
Michael Wilmington
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
High-tech special effects come to the rescue of the party dudes in this uneven sequel that has some big laughs and plenty of repetitive jokes.
July 29, 2016 | Rating: 2.5/4
Gene Siskel
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
All things considered, I would rather play Twister.
July 29, 2016 | Rating: 2/5
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
Bill and Ted have a guileless, immediate way of dealing with the world that makes them both very likeable and highly entertaining to watch.
July 29, 2016 | Rating: 3/4
Dave Kehr
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
With its greater resources, the film enjoys more sets, more props, and more computer animation – none of which increases the quality or the entertainment value.
January 2, 2022 | Rating: 4/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
The second chapter of the franchise depends solely on fans, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a fun and original movie. [Full review in Spanish].
September 25, 2020 | Rating: 3/4
Federico Furzan
Cinelipsis
Having an actual bad guy changes the dynamic to something less fun and more serious… but the inclusion of Death as a wild card provides a new too-serious foil for Bill and Ted to happily torment.
September 1, 2020 | Rating: 3/4
Kevin A. Ranson
MovieCrypt.com
An extraordinary grab bag of conceits and jokes, unified only in that Winters and Reeves treat everything with the same effortless merriment and slacker philosophy.
August 24, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Tim Brayton
Alternate Ending
Wacky and weird and nonsensical, it’s hardly satire but the sheer invention of their ludicrous journey will have most dudes rolling on the floor.
August 4, 2017
Sean Axmaker
Stream on Demand
William Sadler steals the film with his hilarious turn as The Grim Reaper … but aside from a few chuckles, the remainder is overstuffed and overindulgent.
October 2, 2016 | Rating: 2/4
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing…
Plot
The world of our distant future is a veritable utopia, thanks to the lyrics of two simple-minded 20th Century rock and rollers, Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan. However, a would-be conquerer threatens to throw history off-track by sending “most non-non-heinous” evil robot Bill and Teds back to kill their good counterparts. Finding themselves dead, the boys must outwit the Grim Reaper and traverse Heaven and Hell to return to the land of the living, rescue their “babes” and have a “most triumphant” concert at the all-important Battle of the Bands.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
William Sadler steals the film with his hilarious turn as The Grim Reaper.
Peter-Hewitt.jpg
