Spinal Tap II: The End Continues

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is everything that Spinal Tap fans could ask for. The original mockumentary This is Spinal Tap (1984) introduced us to the greatest rock and roll band that never was. For over forty years the film has been quoted, the songs have been sung, and the characters praised. To see them back together again is nostalgia at its hilarious best.

Synopsis: The band reunite after a 15-year break for one final concert. | 1h 23m | Rated R for language

I was worried going into this film that somehow the magic would be stolen from that first film. Or that the creators would try and modernize it too much into something other than what the Tap legacy represents. Thankfully all my fears were ungrounded. It is hard to imagine that after 40 years that the trio could step into these roles and become them so completely. Seeing Nigel (Christopher Guest), David (Michael McKean), and Derek (Harry Shearer) after all this time is as if they have been living in the real world; not just fictional characters being played once again for our enjoyment.

In this film the band has not played together in 15 years and are planning a reunion concert in New Orleans. Original documentary film maker Martin DiBergi (Rob Reiner) decides to follow the band as the rehearse and get ready for the big night. As with any bands there is also an underlying animosity with David and Nigel that also needs to be addressed. Oh and they need to find a drummer not scared of dying.

If you have not watched the first film in a while or it is not engrained in your head it would be worth revisiting. Having that groundwork does add to some of the humor and jokes. Fans will love hearing all the old songs, plus there are a few new ones that only Spinal Tap could dream up and get away with.

When the first film came out no would could have expected the cult following. All these years later everyone wants to be a part of the Tap journey. There are some wonderful cameos in this one from the rock and social media world. Everyone sells the story as true and it is great watching the two worlds of fictional Tap and real music icons intertwine.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is still playing in some theaters so seek it out there if you can. If not it is coming to digital and home release on September 30th.