To call “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” an unnecessary piece of fan service would be playing into the hands of its creators. Like the original mockumentary that put Tap on the map 41 years ago, this film pokes fun at a certain type of rock ’n’ roll documentary. This time, director Rob Reiner and his cast take aim at comeback concerts and the documentaries they often spawn.
In other words, “Spinal Tap II” is both a satire and an example of what it’s satirizing.
Thankfully, the reunion of Spinal Tap bandmembers Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) works better than trepidatious fans of the first film may think. It’s not as fall-down funny nor as fresh as the original, but there are enough chuckles and musical performances to make this sequel worth seeing.
Once again, the film we’re watching is a production overseen by Marty DiBergi (Reiner). He brings us up to speed on what’s happened since we last saw him and the band. Turns out Spinal Tap inexplicably broke up 15 years ago. DiBergi travels to places like Morro Bay, Calif. and Berwick-Upon-Tweed, England to discover what happened, and to interview the band prior to their upcoming forced reunion.
The only reason this onetime reunion concert exists is because Hope Faith (Kerry Godliman), daughter of the band’s original manager, the late Ian Faith, discovered that Tap owed him one more concert. (Tony Hendra, the actor who played Ian, died in 2021.) Hope had no intention of bringing these guys back — they’ve aged quite a bit since we last saw them — but a video of Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood singing “Big Bottom” went viral, renewing interest in the band’s music.
Since Hope is out of her depth in terms of promoting rock bands, she hires dubious concert promoter Simon Howler (Chris Addison). His unbuttoned shirts expose his hairy chest, and everything he says exposes his incompetence. One of the ideas he has for helping Tap cement their legacy is if one or more of its band members die during the concert. This sounds like a bad idea, until you remember what happened to anyone who dared sit behind a drum kit for Spinal Tap.
The band members offer up going comatose as a viable option. Howler says he’ll take that suggestion under advisement.
“Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” follows Nigel, Derek, and David as they attempt to put on one final heavy metal headbanger of a concert. Along the way, the usual old wounds reopen and ancient conflicts reemerge. Will they stay together long enough to reach the stage? More importantly, will the measurements for their legendary Stonehenge prop be correct this time?
The film gets a lot of comic mileage out of what the band members were doing before they returned to rocking out, so I wouldn’t dare spoil those moments. There are also several in-jokes that require a familiarity with the original film. For example, Nigel’s new guitar pedal platform (one pedal is shaped like a pizza) is a direct homage to his amps that go up to 11.
There are also cameo appearances from Bobbi Flekman (Fran Drescher), Artie Fufkin (Paul Shaffer), and Jeannie Pettibone (June Chadwick), the last of whom has finally found the right man to love unconditionally. If you know who these characters are, you’re ready for “Spinal Tap II.”
Once again, the Spinal Tap story is an improvisational collaboration between Reiner, Guest, Shearer, and McKean, with the latter three writing and performing the songs. Hearing Spinal Tap perform numbers like “Hell Hole” and “Stonehenge” again feels nostalgic, while also mocking that nostalgia. Getting Elton John to sing “(Listen to the) Flower People” is a nice touch. Paul McCartney waxing poetic on the lyrics to “Big Bottom” also helps create the right amount of playful mockery.
The film’s best joke may be a montage of real-life drummers including Questlove, Chad Smith, and Lars Ulrich politely declining the offer of a Spinal Tap drumming gig. But don’t worry, the band gets a new drummer in the guise of female percussionist Didi Crockett (Valerie Franco). Whether she makes it to the end of the set, I’ll leave you to discover.
★★★
SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES
Directed by Rob Reiner. Written by Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer. Starring Reiner, Guest, McKean, Shearer, Chad Addison, Kerry Godliman, Valerie Franco, Fran Drescher, Paul Shaffer, June Chadwick, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Questlove, Lars Ulrich, Chad Smith. At AMC Boston Common, Alamo Drafthouse Seaport, Coolidge Corner, suburbs. R (language, pink torpedo references)
Odie Henderson is the Boston Globe's film critic.