- Michael McKean, Fran Drescher, Christopher Guest, Elton John, Paul McCartney
- September 12th 2025
- 84
- Rob Reiner
The Spinal Tap stars are followed by documentary filmmaker Martin Di Bergi while they gear up for a one-off reunion concert.
It’s been 41 years since the release of the 1984 cult classic This Is Spinal Tap, and now we’re reuniting with the fictional heavy metal rockers for another mockumentary.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, once again directed by Rob Reiner, who also plays documentarian Martin Di Bergi, follows three members of the band as they reunite after 15 years.
Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) is living in Berwick-upon-Tweed, selling cheese and guitars (in the same shop), David St Hubbins (Michael McKean) performs in a mariachi band in California, and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) runs a glue museum in London.
When their song Big Bottom experiences a resurgence on social media, the trio get back together for one more concert due to a contractual obligation rather than a true desire.
This sequel is made by the same team as the first, so it’s no surprise that it has the same tone, filmmaking style and sense of humour, with the actors improvising all their dialogue based on an outline for each scene.
It may have been more than 40 years, but the returning four slip back into their roles effortlessly, as if they never left. They are still masters at coming up with silly nonsense on the spot with a straight face, often producing some laugh-out-loud moments.
There are several famous faces in this sequel, including Elton John and Paul McCartney, whose involvement has been well publicised. They aren’t mere cameos; these music legends have substantial parts and fit right in, improvising with the pros to hilarious effect.
It’s not perfect, though. The jokes are hit and miss (much like the original), the final concert feels underwhelming, and the ending is really rushed, like it needed a bit more breathing room to wrap things up properly.
Also, by virtue of the fact that it’s a sequel, Spinal Tap II doesn’t have quite the same magic as the first one, simply because you know what you’re getting by this point.
However, the track record of long-awaited sequels is shaky at best, so the fact that it’s been this long and they’ve made a fun, entertaining movie is an achievement in itself.
In cinemas from Friday 12th September.
By Hannah Wales.
© Cover Media