NEW ORLEANSโ – Spinal Tap, the mock โคheavy metal band whose 1984 film This Is Spinalโ Tap became a cultural touchstone, hasโฃ returned โwith Spinal Tap II: theโ Endโข Continues, a โฃsequel that revisits the band’s uniquely disastrous history and delivers a nostalgic, yet fresh, comedic experience. The film finds the band facing the possibility of one last show after legal pressures, prompting auditionsโ for a newโ drummer -โ a darkly humorousโฃ prospect given the band’s history of drummers meeting outlandish ends.
The sequel acknowledges the band members’ post-Tap lives: Davidโฃ Stuhlbarg now sells cheese and guitars in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, whileโข bassist Derek Smalls achieved solo success with the โsong “Hell Toupee.”โ David also proudly showcases award-winning hold โฃmusic he composed.
The End Continues blends familiar gags with new material, includingโข a revamped performance of “Stonehenge” and a revisited rendition of “Bigโค Bottom,” complete with philosophical musings on the merits of flatulenceโฃ from Nigel tufnel. While drawing from past material – at least four songs from their 1992 โalbum Break Like the Wind are featured โ- theโค film also โขintroduces new songs, suchโข as Derek’s “Rockin’ the Urn,” though onyl heard in a rough demo.
at 83 minutes, the film explores the tensions inherentโฃ in band dynamics and the โpressures of the modern music industry, portrayed through Addison’s character, a tone-deaf label representative. The sequel aimsโ to honourโค the spirit of heavy metal, mirroring the original film’s respectful parody of bands like black Sabbath and Judas Priest, and highlighting the swagger โคand showmanship of the genre.
As the review notes, the original This Is Spinal Tap “came from a place of respect,โ not derision,” and โคallowed the band members – McKean,โ Guest, and Shearer, โขall accomplished musicians – to pay homage to the music they were spoofing.Despite being “forever โฃbanned from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Spinal Tap II offers a โfitting tribute to the band’s enduring legacy.