The band reunites after a 15-year break for one final concert.
Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel, Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins, and Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls reprise their roles from “This Is Spinal Tap,” the rock mockumentary that hit theaters way back in 1984. Critically acclaimed but box-office challenged, the movie went on to achieve cult status and eventual profitability thanks to re-releases, VHS, and DVD sales. “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” seamlessly links the two accounts of a band that feels so real but never really existed.
In a lot of ways, the interactions between Nigel and David reveal the charms of an old bickering couple, sort of a balancing act between a deep-seated love-hate relationship. The dialogue in both films is highly improvised – almost out of necessity to retain its spontaneity – as evidenced by the writing credits, which include George, McKean, Reiner, and Shearer. Equally impressive is the fact that all the band members actually play their own instruments without simulation.
Director Rob Reiner returns as Marty DiBergi, the documentarian interviewing band members and crew, seemingly channeling his inner Seth Rogen. “This Is Spinal Tap” received widespread acclaim in large measure because its improvisational satire hit so close to home. Life after peak stardom poses significant challenges to egos and self-images. “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” embraces that propensity now decades after the band faded from the spotlight. The 1984 film was Reiner’s directorial debut and put him very much on the map in Hollywood and as an auteur.
Of particular interest is the substantial screen time given to Paul McCartney and Elton John as themselves, both of whom clearly related personally to the behind-the-scenes characterizations of rock musicians on display in the original “Spinal Tap.” It’s hilarious to watch Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins poke criticism at the legendary McCartney, who arrives unannounced in a rehearsal session before the highly anticipated comeback concert. In a subsequent on-camera interview, Hubbins refers to McCartney as conceited for simply offering advice on chord changes during the group jams. It’s a bit of projection at work because in so many ways, the founding band members maintain pretensions of their own that seemingly know no bounds.
In the course of events, Nigel, David, and Derek must once again find a new drummer, since the previous eleven all ended badly one way or another. After weathering endless auditions reminiscent of the wedding singers such as Eugene Levy in “Father of the Bride,” the final and most unlikely candidate turns out to be a woman named Didi Crockett (Valerie Franco) who hits it out of the park. After Didi’s resounding affirmation from the band, Derek takes her aside and awkwardly propositions her. She feigns flattery just as her lesbian girlfriend enters the studio, putting the kibosh on Derek’s amorous intentions and staying true to the tone of the narrative – realigning expectations in the wake of widespread popularity long since passed.
David Furnish, Elton John’s real-life husband, even makes a brief appearance after the climactic finale, lending additional realism to the project. Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood also make fleeting cameos. Perhaps now forgotten, but it wasn’t altogether clear to audiences of the original “Spinal Tap” at the time that the band was fictional. The mockumentary format was unfamiliar to many with its faux cinema vérité approach. Prior to “This Is Spinal Tap,” filmgoers had been treated largely to hagiographies such as Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Waltz,” so the confusion is understandable.
Though the sequel fails to recapture the biting satire of the original, fans will nonetheless find much to appreciate in this new chapter. With its excellent production values brought to the fore in Blu-ray, “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” makes for an enjoyable return to the world of aging rock and rollers striving to remain relevant in their golden years.
Now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD
11k
19.8k
1.5k
1.8k