'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues' review: The band reunites, but the laughs don't hit 11

Courtesy of Bleecker Street

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One of the earliest movies to thrive in the VHS era after its theatrical run fizzled 41 years ago, “This Is Spinal Tap” was essentially an 80-minute meme before memes even existed. Now comes “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” a sequel that mistakes decades of audience goodwill and cult-classic status as enough reason to fire up another reunion tour. What we get is a greatest hits set, wrapped in nostalgia.

There’s something undeniably charming about seeing Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer once again slip into the egos of David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls. This time they’re joined by the likes of Paul McCartney and Elton John, cameos that exist for no reason other than to prove the filmmakers could get them. Still, “Spinal Tap II” is less about topping the original and more about reminding us why it became iconic in the first place. The movie is knowingly dumb, constantly winking at the audience, and while there’s nothing here as timeless as “turning it up to 11,” a gag involving a guitar with a hidden cheese compartment comes close.

Co-writer and director Rob Reiner also returns as Marty DiBergi, the hapless director chronicling what is billed as Spinal Tap’s final reunion. At a brisk 83 minutes, the film doesn’t overstay its welcome. But where the original mockumentary felt fresh and groundbreaking, the format has since been elevated by sharper successors like “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” and “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.” By comparison, this feels a little out of step.

The band members themselves have also aged out of the chaos. McKean and Guest are now 78, while Shearer is 81, and though they remain willing participants, their weariness sometimes seeps through the performance. That tension is even played for laughs; one of the best jokes involves the group’s PR team suggesting that a band member fake a coma (or death) to generate publicity. Elsewhere, the screenplay has them scattered: Derek chasing crypto schemes, David co-hosting a true-crime podcast, and Nigel running a cheese shop. These diversions land better than much of the concert banter.

When the music finally hits, though, it’s still a thrill. Watching them belt out “Hell Hole,” “Big Bottom,” and, of course, “Stonehenge” scratches that nostalgic itch. New cast members add some spark too, particularly Kerry Godliman as Hope Faith, daughter of the band’s late manager Ian (originally played by Tony Hendra), and Valerie Franco as Spinal Tap’s twelfth drummer. Both bring a fresh burst of energy to the aging ensemble.

“Spinal Tap II” doesn’t quite crank it up to 11, but it lands at a solid 6.5. For die-hard fans, that may be enough.

Grade: C+ 

SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES is now playing in theaters.