Everybody got old. I mean, of course they did. This Is Spinal Tap was released over 40 years ago and the major players weren’t exactly youngsters at the time. But, GOOD LORD, are they old now. We should be happy they’re all still alive … well, all alive except for the drummer, of course.
It would be hard to pin down exactly the forces that made Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Rob Reiner create This Is Spinal Tap in the first place. Mockumentaries aren’t exactly an everyday thing and most metalheads understand their genre is niche. Assuming there’s a market for heavy metal satire is a bit of a stretch; hence when the original film became one of the greatest comedies of all time, we were all surprised and delighted.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues will not go down as one of the greatest comedies of all time. This meandering re-look at the gang is not without charm, but seems to lack the punch that made the original such a classic. The “documentary” reunites the group 15 years after their break-up. Nigel Tufnel (Guest) currently runs a cheese and guitar shop. Derek Smalls (Shearer) is curator at a museum of glue. David St. Hubbins (McKean) is still a music producer, proudest of winning awards for “hold” music – what plays when you are put on hold during a phone call.
This is where the film works best. It has similar quiet humor as the original; I think you’ll find there probably isn’t a loud guffaw in the “Where are they now?” exploration, but the material might make you chuckle. Where the film fails is the big laugh department. There isn’t a “these go to 11”,”Shark Sandwich”, or miniature Stonehenge laugh among this bunch. The best it can offer instead is making David’s ex go into a convent and inviting some celebs to help out. Ever want to see Paul McCartney or Elton John cover Spinal Tap? Well, you’re in luck.
One of the things that disturbed me about this look back is that I always saw the power dynamic between Nigel and David as equal. No matter who wrote the music, their roles in the band were equally important. 41 years later it is quite clear that 
David is the most important member of Spinal Tap. I’m not sure the film intended for this dynamic to be so painfully uneven. It just happened, but it makes me a bit sad for the group. Before, we welcomed Nigel’s return to the group gleefully. All felt right … and where the Hell else would he go, anyway? Watching this reunion, part of me thinks Nigel should have remained in England trading cheese for guitars and vice versa.
I did absolutely love the custom made Tufnel guitar with built-in cheese board and grater. This is the absurd comic genius that the film tended to lack. Bottom line here is if you loved This Is Spinal Tap, then the reunion is probably a must see. You will not enjoy it nearly as much as the first, but it is a welcome extension in the same vein. Otherwise, it would be hard to love this film. Of the four main players, none is younger than 77 and it shows. Comedy is not an old man’s game. This sequel is asking for heavy lifting from a bunch of guys who need a nap.
Mediocrities reunite for a song, swan
Hoping that all past intrusions are bygone
Yeah, there’s been a gap,
But we remember Tap
Just make sure you get off their lawn!
Rated R, 83 Minutes
Director: Rob Reiner
Writer: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner
Genre: We’re just never getting rid of the 1980s, are we?
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Did you love the first one? You’ll like this
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Everybody else
