Spinal Tap II: The End Continues review by Bobby Blakey
In 1984 director Rob Reiner introduced the world to the iconic rock band Spinal Tap in the rock mockumentary This is Spinal Tap starring Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer. The film has gone on to cult status with fans of all ages, and they all lost their minds when the sequel was announced with Spinal Tap II: The End Continues co-starring Fran Drescher, Paul Shaffer, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Questlove, and Chris Addison with Reiner once again directing and reprising his role as documentarian Martin DiBergi. Could this return to the stage be worth playing or should they have never got the band back together?
​
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues follows Spinal Tap estranged bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls who reunite after a 15-year break for one final concert. This reunion also brings back documentarian Marty Di Bergi, who once again tries to capture his favorite metal gods as they contemplate mortality—and the hope that their 12th drummer doesn’t join them in The Great Beyond. Joined by music royalty Paul McCartney and Elton John, Spinal Tap wrestles with their checkered past to put on a concert that they hope will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock ’n' roll.
​
The original film captured magic in a bottle with its unique approach to creating this band, the laughs and hitting a cord with real life musicians in some of the truth to the chaos. I think waiting so long to do this kind of sequel would usually be a mistake, but for this group it once again resonates with the truth of the aging rock star while still bringing the laughs. Of course it doesn’t have the same impact as the original, but it manages to capture the essence of it all once again and it is great fun to see the band back together.
The cast all dive right back in and bring the fun and dysfunction making you feel like they never left. Musically it doesn’t really do much, all that new, but it doesn’t need to. We are watching an aging band do their thing and they do just that. Bring the classic sound and energy complete with a drummer that is still alive, for now at least. What they do give audiences is some of the longer performances in the final act that are familiar and fun complete with surprise guests to step it up.
​
The returning gags keep it fun and hit all the notes of the original while bringing just plenty of new silliness that kept me smiling to the very last note. It’s a film that didn’t need a sequel, but getting to see these guys get back together and still rocking like they never left once again brings that truth to the genre and gives one of the biggest redemptions of the original while putting the final nail in the coffin to their legacy.
​
This film isn’t perfect, but I found it smart and a fun return to the genre and the band. I hope that the fans of the original film have as much fun as I did. Step onto the stage once again with Spinal Tap II: The End Continues hits Blu-ray and DVD from Bleeker Street.