SPOILER-FREE PLOT SUMMARY
Four decades after their journey was chronicled by filmmaker Marty Di Bergi (played by Rob Reiner), legendary rockers Spinal Tap need to play one last show to satisfy a long-lost contract obligation. The problem is, the guys are scattered all over the world, having not spoken in a while. Lead singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) is composing scores out in California, lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) is running a cheese shop in England and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) is working in a glue museum in London. Hope Faith (Kerry Godliman), the daughter of their old manager Ian, puts together a concert in New Orleans on short notice so the guys can finally fulfill their contract. Once again, Di Bergi is along for the ride and captures the up’s and down’s of the one-off reunion show.
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
This. This is how legacy sequels should be done: in a theater, with a like-minded audience who have nostalgia for the original. While they had their moments, AXEL F and HAPPY GILMORE 2 lost a lot of potential positive momentum due to streaming exclusivity. Those are just two examples of movies that would’ve fared better in the court of public opinion had they each had a limited run in theaters so fans of the originals could laugh together.
Thankfully, this one got it right.
SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES is hilarious and, somehow, captures the charm of the original. Several well-known musicians make appearances to honor, “audition” or play with the band, leaving the audience in awe while also reminding everyone just how impactful this little movie became after its release back in 1984.
My only real complaint is that it isn’t 100% shot in the mockumentary style. Most notably when Nigel is on the phone with his wife, there are several moments that feel like you’re watching a typical movie as opposed to a shaky cam, voyeur-type product that THIS IS SPINAL TAP birthed 41 years ago. The camera angles don’t match the rest of the film and, in those moments, it reminds the audience that they’re watching a (mostly) scripted work.
The guys are great, the nostalgia is thick, the jokes are plentiful, the vibe is fun and the cameos are spectacular. What more could you want from a legacy sequel, especially in a movie theater with your peers? SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES is probably the last time we’ll see the guys on screen and, you know what? They went out on top.
Well, unless the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame finally calls.
JKG SCORE: 7.5
Untitled Film Project 