Bill and Ted are two “dudes” with a serious problem. In order to pass their history class (and high school, for that matter) they have to get an A+ on a class presentation. As if that’s not bad enough, Ted, upon flunking, will be sent to a military school in Alaska by his fed-up father.

Now, Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) aren’t the most studious guys, and most of their time is taken up with their “excellent” band, Wyld Stallyns. However, the thought of flunking school is a total “bummer” for them, and they begin work on their presentation – which is due the next day.

Enter Rufus (George Carlin), a “super-cool hipster” from the year 2788 who is on a mission to save Bill and Ted from almost-certain disaster.

Rufus gives the two dudes a time machine (in the shape of a phone booth) to use at their discretion, provided they finish their report on time. At first Bill and Ted are suspicious of Rufus, but when they realize their grades are at stake, they decide to embark on their “excellent adventure.”

Bill and Ted decide to travel through the fourth dimension to “bag” some “personages of historical significance” and bring them into the 20th century. Napoleon, Billy the Kid, Socrates, Sigmund Freud, Genghis Khan, Joan of Arc, Abraham Lincoln, and Beethoven all fall prey to the dudes’ idea.

Along the way, Bill and Ted encounter some mishaps like a broken time machine antenna and a few wars. Nothing major. They also encounter some beautiful babes in old England and court them in the California way.

Once back in 20th century San Dimas, Calif., Bill and Ted take their crew to the nearest shopping mall for some culture. The antics of Joan and Genghis are funny, and Beethoven, awestruck, discovers the electronic keyboard.

It seems as if Bill and Ted are on their way to pulling off a “very triumphant” history presentation, but their plans run amuck in the end. Whether or not they’ll get to school in time for their A+ creates the suspense of the movie, and you may be genuinely concerned about their welfare.

For the most part, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is entertaining – if you don’t want any type of heavy plot. It’s geared to a younger, less mature crowd, but college students may need this movie to take a break from the grind.

This is not to say that the movie is without flaws. Some parts of it will make you roll your eyes and say “Oh, please” but for pure fun, Bill and Ted put on a good show.