Movie Review: SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES

By ABBIE BERNSTEIN / Staff Writer

Posted: September 12th, 2025 / 07:43 AM

SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES | ©2025 Bleecker Street

Rating: R
Stars: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner, Harry Shearer, Valerie Franco, Nina Conti, Kerry Godliman, Chris Addison
Writers: Christopher Guest & Michael McKean & Rob Reiner & Harry Shearer
Director: Rob Reiner
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Release Date: September 12, 2025

One of the more remarkable aspects of SPÏNAL TAP: THE END CONTINUES is that, even though it’s been forty-one years since the original 1984 mockumentary THIS IS SPÏNAL TAP and in the lives of its characters, this feels like one of those sequels that picks up directly after the end of the first film.

Sure, the members of the band Spïnal Tap haven’t spoken to each other in fifteen years when SPÏNAL TAP: THE END CONTINUES begins and they’re all doing something other than the loud English metal rock they’re known for, but somehow, the tone is nailed as if they never stopped.

Original THIS IS SPÏNAL TAP director Rob Reiner (who plays diffident documentarian Marty DiBergi) and original Spïnal Tap members Christopher Guest (who plays Nigel Tufnel), Michael McKean (who plays David St. Hubbins), and Harry Shearer (who plays Derek Smalls), who all collaborated on the reportedly largely ad-libbed script together, are all back. They have visibly aged, but their deadpan wit in lampooning/celebrating the glory and idiocy of all things metal and music industry is just as we remember.

This time around, Spïnal Tap is forced to reunite when it is discovered they have a contractual obligation to do one final concert in New Orleans.

There is a bit of a mystery that Marty is keen to solve – just why did everybody stop speaking to each other? – but mostly, we get the hits (including “Stonehenge” – no spoiler here, as it’s incorporated into the film’s logo), the squabbles, the weird philosophies and the even weirder music-hating execs who think they know best.

SPÏNAL TAP: THE END CONTINUES has a whiff of sentiment that would make Nigel, David, and Derek righteously uncomfortable (they’re vocally unhappy about how personal the original documentary was) but which Guest, McKean, Shearer and Reiner all clearly endorse. There is an undeniable fellowship here, underscored with some flashback imagery, but also palpable in the present, even when Nigel and David are intent on making one another crazy.

There is also an awareness of what Spïnal Tap means to its audience. The filmmakers make it clear they’re appreciative of the appreciation without appearing to pander to fans.

New members of the entourage and associates include characters portrayed by the vivacious and limber Valerie Franco, the sincere Kerry Godliman, the sunnily absurd Nina Conti, and the wonderfully appalling Chris Addison.

There are a number of high-end guest stars here, not only in cameos, but in supporting roles. Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John show themselves to be extremely good sports. McCartney’s measured response to his encounter with the band is a highlight.

SPÏNAL TAP: THE END CONTINUES finds all sorts of new situations to showcase its protagonists while maintaining its ethos. So much comedy is of the moment, but this works now as it did back in 1984.

For further proof of the filmmakers’ commitment to what they’re doing, check out the Q&A that followed the September 10 screening of SPÏNAL TAP: THE END CONTINUES at the Hollywood Chinese IMAX Theater (it’s available on YouTube). Reiner, in character as Marty, interviews and reads submitted questions for his three collaborators, all likewise in character. It’s spontaneous and nobody misses a beat.

Long live the Tap, Tap, Tap …

Follow us on Twitter at ASSIGNMENT X
Like us on Facebook at ASSIGNMENT X

Latest Buzz

Movie Review: SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES

From the people who brought you "It goes to eleven"

Article Source: Assignment X
Article: Movie Review: SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES

Related

Related Posts:

Leave a Comment

Assignment X Poll

Newsletter subscription status

Latest Buzz

Movie Review: SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES

From the people who brought you "It goes to eleven"

Article Source: Assignment X Article: Movie Review: SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES

Related

Related Posts:

Leave a Comment

Assignment X Poll

Article Source: Assignment X
Article: Movie Review: SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES