‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’ Reunites Mockumentary Metalheads for Nostalgic Laughs

Alci Rengifo

When Rob Reiner’s “This Is Spinal Tap” premiered in 1984 it was a hilarious take on the music of its time. The cult classic helped establish the mockumentary genre while poking fun at the heavy metal genre that was in vogue. Now 41 years later and metal is no longer dominant, the boys of Spinal Tap are older and their sound is nostalgic. Everything gets a sequel these days and so Reiner has returned with “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.” In keeping with its satirical wit, this new mockumentary is even shot for IMAX. It works like a quick reunion that would have been fine on VH1 in the 90s, but this is Spinal Tap, so it deserves a mockingly big canvas.

Reiner also returns as Marty DiBergi, the filmmaker who followed Spinal Tap around in the first film. He updates us on how “the Tap” have been out of action since 2009, when a mysterious falling out resulted in the band breaking up. The rift was between lead singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest). These days Nigel spends his days running a cheese and guitar shop in rural England. Bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) runs a shop featuring antique glue. As for David, he’s in California making a living composing music for true crime podcasts and the jingles you hear whenever a company puts you on hold. They are fated to reunite when Hope (Kerry Godliman), daughter of their late manager Ian Faith (the late Tony Hendra), inherits the IP rights to the band. Legally she is obliged to put together a fresh tour.

The preparation for Spinal Tap’s reunion is the smart gimmick that justifies this sequel. Since the original was a mockumentary, bringing everyone back is not so jarring since it’s the equivalent of a fresh documentary catching up with a classic band. It’s a fun bookend with the boys no longer the rapacious metal heads of 41 years ago. There are no groupies and even Jeanine Pettibone (June Chadwick), David’s girlfriend in 1984, is now a nun. There are quick drop-ins from the past like Bobbi Flekman (Fran Drescher), the band’s original publicist who wants nothing to do with this tour since she still has PTSD from the old days. A new promoter jumps in named Simon Howler (Chris Addison). He is a cynical, slippery shark who has a condition where he can’t register music (singing “Happy Birthday” is impossible).

The new characters are seamlessly integrated into the Tap universe by contributing so hilariously to typical rock band issues. Fans will remember that this band has an infamous history with drummers who keep dropping dead. The Tap tries to recruit a couple of notables, none of whom want to take the chance. It’s also a fun way for the movie to feature Zoom cameos by Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith. The only one brave enough to take on the gig is Didi Crockett (Phantom Lynx drummer Valerie Franco). She’s really good and infuses the group with fresh, youthful energy. Derek tries to hit on her but looks like a sad leftover from a different time, which is no doubt the point of the joke. 

Because the movie is brisk at 1 hour and 22 minutes, Reiner doesn’t make the effort to expand much beyond just the cheerful bits and gags. There are no new songs because longtime fans want those classics like “Big Bottom” and “Stonehenge.” They’re still great riffs on sex-crazed hair metal (“The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin’”) or the genre’s obsession with fantasy. Room is made in the set list for Elton John to guest on “Stonehenge,” since he’s apparently a big admirer of the band. John does his bit so well we wish he had done more comedic acting. Now these aged rockers wistfully gasp at all the big flashy features their reunion stage includes. Their voices also sound pretty crisp when delivering those absurdly memorable lyrics.

“This Is Spinal Tap” is an enduring satire that knows how to laugh at absurd kernels of truth in the music industry. Twenty years later a band like Metallica would release a documentary like “Some Kind of Monster,” where the band needs to go into group therapy to resolve their issues. “Spinal Tap II” can feel just as authentic. When the reason for David and Nigel’s rift is revealed it makes absolute sense in a rock ‘n’ roll way. Metal doesn’t rule like it used to, yet there is something touching in seeing these actors reunite to evoke Spinal Tap like aged party animals with a bit of fire left in their bellies. 

“Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” releases Sept. 12 in theaters nationwide.