User Reviews

Hate to say it, but here’s more proof that father time is undefeated. It’s been forty years since This is Spinal Tap so wickedly illustrated the less-glamorous aspects of arena rock ****, and like the group’s throngs of jean-jacketed supporters, the magic has long since dissipated. The reality of Guest, McKean and Shearer’s screen reunion mirrors that of their dim-witted alter egos on the lighted stage. Three aging former sparkplugs, brought back together after decades apart, who can’t find the fire that once fueled their notoriety. They go through the motions, play the hits, try to fake it, but there’s no denying the truth. This ship sailed **** ago, for characters and comedians alike. The long-awaited Spinal Tap sequel isn’t completely devoid of wit. I found a few chuckles, but never once flirted with hysterics like I did (and still do) so steadily in the first film. As I feared, many of the best punchlines are in the trailer, and it wasn’t even a very good trailer. The scant plot is weighted down with cameos, including two distinguished members of rock royalty who look even older than the band does, but a vast majority of these guest shots are simple coast jobs. Famous somebodies who pop up and smile for the camera, confident that their mere presence will be enough to prop up an otherwise mediocre scene. Most returning members of the original supporting cast also fall into this category. It was nice to see Fran Drescher again, if only for a few moments, but couldn’t they have given her a laugh or two? I guess those are in short enough supply as it is. This is mighty soft stuff. Soft, unnecessary and a little sad. Hobbled by age and complacency, the stars muster no energy at all, not even when they’ve reached the stage of their big comeback show and perform a medley of favorite old tunes. Not even in the shadow of a correctly-sized Stonehenge prop. Like most belated comedy sequels (see Anchorman 2 or Zoolander 2), I couldn’t find it in me to skip this one, but now kinda wish I had.

As others have said, ST2 is just tired, pointless nostalgia. It's at least 20 years too late. Had it been made when the actors/characters were just starting to get old (mid-late 50s), it probably would have worked better. Now that they're all about 80, it's more pathetic than funny. Most of the closing concert is so deadpan and dull it doesn't even feel satirical.

**** sandwich. ............................................................

It's a gift to fans. They didn't have to do this, they didn't have to make it so funny and charming. It's a delightful addition to the legacy. GO SEE IT, especially if you like the original Spinal Tap / Christopher Guest movies. I suppose my high rating is due to the fact that my expectations were low (I thought it would be meh) but it surprised me by cracking me and my friends up.

Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer return in long gray wigs as the fictional heavy metal band, 41 years after the original fake documentary. It’s helmed once again by Rob Reiner, who also interviews them. Here’s an excerpt from my 1984 review, “they cop arrested-adolescent attitudes to the banal interview questions while they preen and grimace to the absurd songs.” Their deadpan ignorance is still intact, but sadly it’s seldom even mildly amusing. The addition of some real rock icons (most notably Paul McCartney & Elton John) is impressive, but lacks any satirical edge. Actually, the whole movie’s that way…sadly trying too hard and seldom succeeding.

As someone who had not seen the original until recently (just watched a few nights ago), I do not have any sort of nostalgic attachment to it, so I can objectively say that ST2 was funnier. The writing was sharper, pacing was snappier, and acting and bits were on par with the first film. There is so much nostalgic fondness for the original that the sequel was held to a higher standard (which accounts for some of the negative reviews) but it was super satisfying and stands on its own as a fun comedy.

I was a mega-fan back in the early 90s and then when they did the Break Like the the Wind album and tour. This movie was I suppose likable enough, and it gave me and my friends a few laughs. But it is really understated and just too many years too late. It seems to exist simply for Spinal Tap to nostalgically do one more thing without trying too hard. Really, they're just too old, and they know it. Hell, I'M too old, too. Anyway, I still greatly appreciate all they've done to entertain me and make me laugh over the years.

"Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" is may not have the brown M&M joke or cultish appeal of its original, but it gets great and lovable mileage out of just how good those first jokes were – mini-Stonehenge replica included. You’d have to be a curmudgeon not to think it was at least fantastic fun.