Spinal Tap II: The End Continues review – Such beloved characters deserve a better film

A creative rephrase for your description could be: This is an amusingly improvised mockumentary, made on a tiny budget, about an imaginary British band (portrayed by Americans), who are falling apart during their critical U.S. tour. The movie not only pokes fun at the exaggerated heavy metal subculture but also serves up a touching portrayal of camaraderie.

As a passionate filmgoer, I’m thrilled to share that our beloved heroes are back on screen in a fresh, captivating adventure! Though nods to the original film are abundant (a few familiar faces from supporting characters make brief appearances, and there are mentions of former drummers who have sadly passed), these nods serve more as nostalgic winks than as a substitute for the lack of completely new, top-tier jokes. I’m eager to see how they’ll continue to entertain us with their signature humor!

Apologies for any confusion, but let me clarify that the “II” in the title might be a bit deceiving. Although this is indeed the band’s second feature film appearance, it’s important to note that there have been numerous other projects by them over the past 41 years since their cinematic debut on the big screen. I’ve had the pleasure of following their journey and eagerly anticipating each new venture!

Alongside their reunion album titled “Break Like the Wind”, the 1992 direct-to-video production “The Resurgence of Spinal Tap” documented the band’s sold-out performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The music was punctuated by amusing skits throughout.

In 2009, I reconnected with the group for a two-month tour across the U.S., which was followed by a performance in London and a spot at that year’s Glastonbury Festival. Later in 2018, Harry Shearer’s bassist Derek Smalls emerged once more with a solo album titled “Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing)”.

In the latest movie, aging plays a significant role. If we interpret the narrative chronologically, the musicians portrayed are now in their eighties, a phase often humorously described as “when the cost of candles exceeds that of the cake.” Despite a decade and a half of silence, they are getting back together for what appears to be a final performance, having not communicated for years.

Kerry Godliman is portraying Hope Faith, the daughter of the late Ian Faith (former manager), who believes a one-time reunion show offers a chance for all parties to attain closure and resolution.

She’s supported or obstructed by Chris Addison, portraying a manipulative concert promoter named Simon, who appears to be a blend of two well-known figures from the music industry: Simon Cowell and Fuller. This character asserts that his unique ability is not caring about music itself and instructs the group about their position in a world beyond K-pop.

The game setup is ready, but the action on screen feels surprisingly dull; there’s a lack of smooth progression, some jokes never get their punchline, and only occasional references to other things the group has been up to are made – I would have liked more focus on Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and his English countryside cheese shop for added context.

One enjoyable aspect that made “This Is Spinal Tap” appealing was that many of its humorous moments and spontaneous lines were conceived during unscripted scenes where the actors ad-libbed humorously, delighting viewers with their wit.

In The End Continues, there’s a hint of that, particularly during Michael McKean’s character David St. Hubbins’ interview with Rob Reiner’s director Marty DiBergi. However, it might not be as abundant as some viewers might hope (it’s worth noting that the film’s funniest joke, arguably, doesn’t appear until the end credits).

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel a thrill when my beloved group interacts with music icons like Paul McCartney and Elton John, who seem to have timeless appeal. This unexpected meeting in the movie world feels suspiciously strategic on the filmmakers’ part, yet it’s hard not to let reality seep into the entirely fictional universe of Tap, making for an intriguing blend.

As a movie enthusiast, I must confess that despite their stellar fame as Macca and Captain Fantastic, neither of them seems to possess remarkable acting skills. Their presence in the film, unfortunately, tends to undermine the believability of the imaginary scenario initially set up, making it harder for us to immerse ourselves fully into the story’s world.

As a dedicated fan, I’m incredibly grateful for the strong foundations set decades ago that brought us the unforgettable characters – St Hubbins, Tufnel, and Smalls. These comic icons of rock ‘n’ roll are robustly formed and universally cherished, with their names synonymous with the less fortunate, struggling aspects of our beloved genre. It’s hard not to feel deeply involved in their journey.

Instead of expanding or enhancing the mythology surrounding The Tap, this film should be viewed more as a journey down memory lane, relying heavily on viewers who already harbor deep and enduring love for the band.

Despite there being fun moments left, it’s unfortunate that these cherished characters didn’t get the movie they deserved. Since the actors themselves penned the script, it seems they are ultimately accountable for its subpar quality.