Back in 1984, Spinal Tap birthed a whole new cinematic genre — the mockumentary — and became an infinitely quotable cult classic as a result. And now the band are ready for an encore.
The legacy sequel is not a new concept; in fact, it’s almost par for the course now with movies like Happy Gilmore 2, Freakier Friday, and more dominating Hollywood. So it stands to reason that Spinal Tap would get its big comeback, and critics have delivered their verdict on whether it was worth the effort.
🤔 What is Spinal Tap II about?
It’s been 15 years since Spinal Tap broke up, and Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer are back as the fictional rock band — guitarist Nigel Tufnel, lead singer David St Hubbins and bassist Derek Smalls — for one last tour.
The trio had long moved on with their lives. Nigel became the owner of a cheese and guitar shop, while David had been busy composing hold music and jingles for true crime podcasts, and Nigel attempted to go out on his own to little success. They were fine that way until Hope Faith (Kerry Godliman), the daughter of their late manager, found a clause in their contract that said they owed her one last show.
And so the band get back together, ready to audition for a new drummer and prepare for their big send-off, with a number of famous faces joining them for the ride.
👍 What critics liked about Spinal Tap II
The film follows Spinal Tap as they reunite after 15 years apart for one last show. (Bleecker Street)
The Standard‘s Nick Howells was probably the most positive about the film, giving it a solid 4-star rating and writing that the team behind the original “can still crank the humour and awkward schadenfreude up to 11 (well, let’s be honest, to about 10½).”
Howells shared: “Bar a couple of tiny bum notes, the casual situation-comedy gags hit home nicely, including a deliciously pathetic return to the subject of guitars and cheese from Nigel.”
The strength of the film for the critic came from the plethora of guest stars it welcomed, as he said: “Paul McCartney rolls in for a lengthier role; however, the undoubted star turn comes from Elton John (accompanied by husband David Furnish). We all know Elton is a trouper, but boy does this guy send himself forward for a gloriously OTT, showstopping finale.”
The critic concluded: “This is a fond, chaotic yet subtle tribute to the original movie and, hopefully, a one-off farewell. Cheers fellas, big bottoms up!”
Elton John is among the many guest stars in the legacy sequel. (Bleecker Street)
Variety‘s Peter Debruge was similarly amused by the film, describing it as a great tribute to the group, and that while it’s not as good as the original, it is well worth seeing.
He wrote: “Unlike the original, there’s nothing revolutionary or especially groundbreaking here. But at least it doesn’t tarnish what came before, as too many lazy late sequels — from Happy Gilmore 2 to The Odd Couple II — have done.”
Debruge remarked that “at 83 minutes, the sequel doesn’t outstay its welcome” and that the film is as much for fans of the original as newbies: “You needn’t be a Taphead to enjoy The End Continues. The movie serves the nostalgia set by rehashing classic gags, the way any legacy band might riff on favourite tunes, even as it aims to bring younger viewers into the fold.”
For The Hollywood Reporter‘s Frank Scheck, Spinal Tap II was “enjoyable nostalgic”, though he stipulated that it was only “chuckle-inducing” rather than as hilarious as the original.
The critic wrote: “The humour is very droll and deadpan, but, as the above examples indicate, more chuckle-inducing than hysterically funny. As with so many belated follow-ups, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues mainly coasts on nostalgia and affection for the original, to the point where it includes cameos from such veterans of the first film as Fran Drescher and Paul Schaffer.”
Scheck remarked that “some of the gags are esoteric” but “other bits quickly wear out their welcome”, adding: “But there’s also plenty to enjoy, with Guest, McKean and Shearer, who have embodied their silly English characters in many incarnations since the original film, so comfortable and amusing in their roles that you can’t help but giggle at times.”
👎 What critics didn’t like about Spinal Tap II
Some critics found the film a fun nostalgic sequel, but others were unamused by the return. (Bleecker Street)
The Independent‘s Clarisse Loughrey gave the sequel a very weak two stars, calling the film “a startlingly unfunny sequel”.
Wondering if she was missing something, Loughrey wrote: “Could it be that I just didn’t get the joke when it comes to Spinal Tap II: The End Continues? Maybe all that meandering self-indulgence was intentional. Maybe the fact that this sequel to the 1984 comedy spends an enormous chunk of its hour-and-20-minute runtime on cameos from Paul McCartney and Elton John is in itself a meta-commentary on the inherent narcissism of self-produced documentary portraits of musicians?”
She added: “The problem with The End Continues is that it’s so hermetic that it loses its ability to function as it was intended to. What passes for relevance is a mention that audiences expect musicians to move around more on stage in ‘a post-K-pop world’.”
The critic remarked that “even the pacing feels off” when it comes to the punchlines in the film, adding that while it could be a satire of certain legendary musicians, she would have thought that “under those circumstances I’d be laughing more.”
Paul McCartney also features in the mockumentary. (Bleecker Street)
IndieWire‘s Ryan Lattanzio similarly struggled to find the film much fun, writing that Spinal Tap II was only “half funny” and that if you weren’t a fan of the original, then “there might not be much for you” in the sequel.
Describing The End Continues as “a heart-on-its-sleeve, inoffensive, and amusing sequel”, he went on: “This is a movie that would probably be really funny if you were high. The laughs are mostly dry and deadpan, depending on your closeness to and fondness for the material.”
The Telegraph‘s Robbie Collin, meanwhile, wrote that fans should “dial down” their expectations and enthusiasm for the film because it is not worth their hype and “doesn’t come close” to the original.
Calling the sequel “more a worthwhile set of low-key reunion sketches than a proper film”, he writes: “During some of the film’s flatter early stretches, viewers may start to wonder if a certain notorious two-word review of the band’s album Shark Sandwich might also be applicable here. But then Guest, McKean and Shearer begin pulling great lines from the ether – not unlike McCartney’s own magicking of Get Back out of thin air in Peter Jackson’s recent Beatles documentary – and you realise the spark hasn’t entirely left them.
The movie leans heavily into the nostalgia for the original according to critics. (Bleecker Street)
“The climactic concert itself is inspired, and followed by a rush of great odds and ends that play beneath the closing credits: a DVD extras-style epilogue to a film which already feels like a glorified collection of them. What a relief, then, that this isn’t terrible – though to get the best out of it, you may wish to convince yourself that it’s going to be.”
📽️ Can we also suggest…
If Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, or its predecessor, is your vibe, here are some similar films that you might enjoy.
Best in Show (2000)
Why: Starring Spinal Tap member Michael McKean, this movie pokes fun at the world of competitive dog shows and maintains a similar spirit of fun as the beloved music mockumentary.
Available to rent or buy on digital.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Why: This mockumentary about the lives of vampire roommates is equal parts hilarious and totally ridiculous. From the minds of Jermaine Clement and Taika Waititi, the low-budget hit also spawned a TV spin-off set in America starring Matt Berry, Kayvan Novak and more.
Streaming on ITVX and Shudder.
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
Why: While not technically a mockumentary, the rise of The Beatles is explored in this candid musical comedy about 36 hours in the lives of the quartet at the height of their fame. It is rightly seen as one of the most influential musical films of all time.
Available to rent or buy on digital.
Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008)
Why: A look behind the curtain of rock band Anvil, the film explores the ambition of singer Steve “Lips” Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner to make it big. A moving examination of having a dream and pursuing it regardless of the success, it is a worthwhile documentary.
Streaming on Plex.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is out now in cinemas.