What’s it about?
Spinal Tap II : The End Continues cranks the amps back up to eleven, reuniting the world’s loudest—and least self-aware—rock band for a reunion tour that’s part disaster, part love letter to the original. Returning to the beloved mockumentary format, the film follows David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) as they bicker, blunder, and somehow still bring down the house decades after their first brush with fame.
What did we think?
From the opening riffs, I had a dumb grin plastered across my face, and it never really left. Watching McKean, Guest, and Shearer slip back into these roles is like seeing old friends you didn’t realize you’d missed so much—their easy camaraderie radiates off the screen.
The film is a huge nostalgia hit, peppered with callbacks to the original without feeling like a hollow retread. Sure, the laughs aren’t quite as seismic as the first time around, but there are still plenty of clever gags and absurd set-pieces to keep the crowd howling. What really carries Spinal Tap II, though, is the genuine warmth and affection between these performers—decades of real-life friendship and musical chemistry shine through in every scene.
The band’s musical talent is still the real deal, and hearing McKean, Guest, and Shearer rip through new songs (and a few classics) is a treat in its own right. Director Rob Reiner once again steps in as the hapless documentarian Marty DiBergi, providing that familiar dry narration and getting some laughs of his own. And the cameos—no spoilers here—are pitch-perfect, winking at fans while bringing in fresh energy. It’s dumb fun and unabashed nostalgia, but maybe that’s exactly what the world needs now: a reminder that sometimes, turning it up to eleven isn’t about the volume—it’s about the joy.
A shorter version of this review was initially published on Super Quick Reviews and has been published here with full permission.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
