It’s funny, nostalgic, and charming, but it doesn’t quite turn it up to 11 like the original
The legendary Spinal Tap returns with a sequel 41 years later with Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
The first movie is basically sacred territory – one of those comedies you can quote endlessly and still laugh.
I wasn’t expecting too much with this sequel, but I had a surprisingly good time.
Plot Summary of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (Spoiler-Free)
The movie picks up decades after the infamous “final” tour, where the legendary heavy metal band Spinal Tap – David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls – reunite for a one-off concert in New Orleans.
Of course, nothing is simple, and old grudges, lingering rivalries, and the ever-present quest for the 13th drummer make rehearsals fairly chaotic.
New characters enter, like Didi, a whirlwind of anarchic energy, alongside familiar faces like Marti DiBergi, the band’s long-suffering documentarian.
Between rehearsals, gigs, and band bickering, we get a series of gags, cameos from famous musicians, and a reminder that while these guys are older, they’re still ridiculous.
The story is mostly about them working through the chaos of reunion, revisiting old jokes, and proving that the spirit of Spinal Tap lives on, though maybe in a softer, less hilarious way than the original.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues Review: Is It Worth Watching?
While it’s ceratainly not going to dethrone the original, i still had enough fun with this to make it a worthwhile watch.
The first Spinal Tap was lightning in a bottle, where every joke, every awkward glance, and every ridiculous bit of rock-star posturing landed perfectly. Forty-one years later, trying to capture that same energy was always going to be difficult, but what this sequel does well is acknowledge its own limitations and play with them in ways that are genuinely entertaining.
The biggest strength is still the cast though, with McKean, Guest, and Shearer clearly still knowing their characters like the back of their hands, and their improvisation is smooth, the timing is natural, and even when the jokes don’t land perfectly, you can’t help but laugh at their commitment.
You end up feeling a real warmth to their reunion, as you watch them bicker and reminisce – it feels like hanging out with old friends who are just as ridiculous as you remember, and maybe even more self-aware now, too.
One of the highlights of this sequel is Didi, played by Valerie Franco, and she’s chaos incarnate, a real burst of energy that livens up scenes whenever she’s present, and every time she appears, she steals the show.
Unfortunately, she disappears for stretches, which is frustrating because her energy is exactly what the sequel sometimes lacks at times.
And while the humor is more nostalgic rather than groundbreaking, we do get callbacks to the drummer curse, Stonehenge issues, and other classic Spinal Tap gags, and yes, they still made me laugh.
But there’s a gentler pace this time, and we get long stretches of the band rehearsing, talking, or bickering, which are fun if you like watching the dynamics play out, but they don’t hit the manic energy of the original road tour chaos.
But the music, however, remains fantastic, and we get to revisit classics like Big Bottom and Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight, while the new songs, while not quite as iconic, fit naturally into the film’s rhythm.
Hearing those riffs again reminds you just how brilliant the original parody was, and seeing the actors play it with the same over the top seriousness is still hilarious.
And while these guys are older, the movie embraces it rather than pretending they’re still in their prime, as there’s humor in the physical comedy – the difference between their youthful swagger and their current reality.
Yet, despite all the positives, it’s undeniably a softer film, and there’s no chaos level disaster that drives the first film’s energy, and the laughs, while present, are gentler, but maybe that’s okay, as not every reunion needs to break your ribs laughing to work.
Sometimes it’s just enough to feel the nostalgia, the clever callbacks, and the warmth of watching these characters you’ve known for decades interact again.
The film features plently of cameos too, and they are also mostly delightful, even if a few feel like they were shoehorned in just for fan service, but seeing musicians interact with the band adds that authenticity and reminds you that the world of Spinal Tap, while absurd, is grounded in real musical culture.
Spinal Tap II doesn’t reinvent anything, but it really doesn’t need to, and it’s a comfortable, funny, sometimes absurdly silly ride with old friends with music that still rocks.
It’s all a little smaller, a little softer, but still entertaining enough all the same.
What I liked (And What I Didn’t like)
Pros
The Cast Still Nails It
McKean, Guest, and Shearer clearly know their characters inside out, and their improvisation feels effortless.
Nostalgia Done Right
References, old gags, and old songs feel natural and fun rather than forced on you.
Didi Steals the Show
Valerie Franco’s chaotic energy lifts every scene she’s in.
Music Hits the Right Notes
Classic Spinal Tap songs and new additions blend perfectly into the film.
Embraces Aging
The film makes the band’s older age part of the humor instead of ignoring it.
Cameos Add Fun
Guest appearances from musicians and celebrities are entertaining enough most of the time.
Light, Fun Comedy
Even if it’s softer than the original, there’s still plenty of genuine laughter.
Cons
Not as Hilarious as the Original
The comedy doesn’t reach the manic, chaotic energy of the first film, although I am not sure anyone expected it to.
Some Scenes Drag
Arguments about music theory and key changes do overstay their welcome at times.
Didi Is Underused
Franco’s character is fantastic, but she disappears too often.
Cameos Sometimes Feel Forced
A few celebrity appearances feel like a bit of fan service.
Lacks Lightning in a Bottle Moments
No single sequence matches the absurd brilliance of the first movie’s high points.
Who Might Like Spinal Tap II: The End Continues
- Fans of the original This Is Spinal Tap
- Viewers who like improvisational humor
- Music and rock fans
- People who like character driven comedies
- Fans of quirky mockumentaries
- Anyone who enjoys watching actors riff and play off each other
Who Might Dislike Spinal Tap II: The End Continues
- People expecting the same high-energy chaos as the original
- Anyone expecting the movie to reinvent Spinal Tap
- People who prefer fast-paced storytelling
Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Spinal Tap II: The End Continues?
I had a pretty good time with Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, and the cast are still as sharp as ever.
The music and references bring back that familiar Spinal Tap charm, and it’s a fun, funny, and nostalgic in a way that works perfectly for what it is.
For fans of the original and newcomers who enjoy a quirky, music-infused comedy, I recommend it, and while it may not turn it up to 11, it still finds its way to the stage and rocks in its own way.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues Trailer
Simon Leasher
A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I have watched many films from around the world in many different genres, yet I still normally always come back to trashy slasher horror films when in doubt. More
And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.
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