SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES is directed by Rob Reiner. The film stars Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, and several guest stars.
It’s been a long time since the fateful tour chronicled in the original THIS IS SPINAL TAP. The three core members of the band have gone their separate ways, but the daughter of their deceased manager Ian Faith has inherited a contact, enabling the band to reunite for one final show. Shadows of their former selves, the now elderly members of the band get back together in New Orleans for one final epic stage show… but can they pull it off?
I love rock and roll. I love comedy. So it stands to reason that THIS IS SPINAL TAP is one of my favorite films of all time. Never has a movie in history so beautifully blended the two genres; I’d put the soundtrack of the original 1984 film against a lot of “actual” music of that era despite its silly lyrics, double entendre-laden lyrics, and innuendoes. THE END CONTINUES comes 41 years after the original film (although there was a made-for-tv THE RETURN OF SPINAL TAP: LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL special that’s largely faded into obscurity that desperately needs a reissue). Will the sequel ever go to 11 the way its predecessor did? No, but there are certainly more hits than misses here, with the quartet of Reiner, McKean, Guest, and Shearer continuing to simultaneously celebrate and lampoon rock and roll.
The premise of the film is simple and to the point. Estranged band members who haven’t spoken in years and who most likely hate each other at this point must set aside differences for one final, epic concert. We didn’t love the original THIS IS SPINAL TAP for its plot; we loved it for the music and the gags. In many ways the original film felt like a series of loosely connected sketch comedy gigs with only the bare basics of a plot. THE END CONTINUES is largely rooted in this tradition, giving audiences more of the same of what they got four decades ago, just set in a modern world with modern technology. It worked back then, and I’m pleased to say it mostly works now. The four leads are the film; no one has ever worked so hard to look so incompetent on film and on stage – and pulled it off like this. It’s laugh-out-loud hilarious, from where the band members have ended up business venture-wise to having to recruit a new drummer following the not-so-pleasant fates the past ones have suffered.
The movie also scores points for its wide array of guest stars, and thankfully, none of them overshadow the band members. I won’t go into details as to who appears here and what their roles are, but their appearances clearly show the appreciation that the individuals in question had for the original 1984 film. Much like the band members, the guest stars “play it straight,” which further helps the illusion that Tap is a “real” band. You’ll definitely celebrate who appears here, but you’ll also be pleased to know that the Spinal Tap guys remain the primary emphasis. Much like its predecessor, the film clocks in at barely over 80 minutes, so it never wears out its welcome.
Arguably the best thing about the original film was its music, and here, the band revisits songs not only from the original 1984 film, but also material they recorded for subsequent Spinal Tap revivals, including songs from the early 1990s BREAK LIKE THE WIND album (the title cut from that album was performed on an episode of THE SIMPSONS in the early 1990s, an animated sitcom on which Harry Shearer is a series regular). I would’ve liked to see a few more new original (I used those words on purpose) Spinal Tap songs, but it’s good to hear these comedic (yet still rocking!) songs stand the test of time.
The film, while good, doesn’t quite come together in every way like its processor. The movie seems to feel a concern to “check boxes” regarding the fates of many minor characters from prior films, including those played by Paul Shaffer, Fran Drescher, and June Chadwick, but these are pretty much glorified cameos, and these elements ultimately feel tertiary and like fan service. Likewise, the original movie was endlessly quotable, but there just aren’t those many moments the second time around on the big screen. The movie makes the mistake of going into fart joke territory at one point, though this thankfully doesn’t last long.
The showing of the film I attended (no press screening; I actually had to buy a ticket for this one) was at AMC Town Square here in Las Vegas, and the film was followed with a live Q&A from the four stars/writers of the film at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, complete with them in character. Presumably, this will likely be included as a bonus feature on the eventual home video release.
THE END CONTINUES continues the legacy of Spinal Tap. Nothing will ever top the original 1984 film, but this latest effort from Reiner, McKean, Guest, and Shearer is a worthy and quite fully follow-up, showing these would-be rock stars haven’t lost their comedic chops with time. It could use a few more memorable and quotable moments, and some new originals when it comes to the music, but it’s a lovingly crafted legacy sequel that hits the high notes. Yes, it’s more of the same, but is that really a bad thing? Recommended to fans of the original 1984 movie.