“Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” A Review

Posted: September 12th, 2025 | Filed under: Cinema, Culture, New Orleans, Rock & Roll Rewind, Ruminations | No Comments »

The lede shall not be buried.

The sequel to “This is Spinal Tap” is not as good as the original.

It happens.

There’s only one “Godfather 2.”

Only one “Astral Weeks.”

Only one “Guernica.”

That settled, next question: Should there have been a sequel?

After all, the original is a masterwork. It essentially invented the category of Mockumentaries. It is hilarious, and nails the big rock scene. It holds up four decades on.

Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, and Rob Reiner are all quick witted, very clever improvisers with a reverence for rock & roll along with affection for its and foibles. So too their brilliant supporting cast. The original (and the sequel) are love letters to the music and culture that sustained my generation.

It was all there. Crank it to 11. Stonehenge. They’ve taken on new meanings in pop culture vernacular.

I myself heard bands so loud in the 70s, my hearing suffered. There was a band — can’t remember their name — who chainsawed a couch on stage during one song. For whatever reason of visual drama. At least on the way up. On the way down, it was a wooden chair they demolished. Honest.

“This is Spinal Tap” remains the best film ever made about rock & roll. And one of the funniest about any topic.

Which brings us to this consideration. If not as good as the original, is the sequel worthy?

Absolutely.

In ways that could not have been foreseen.

Of course, I’m a rock and roll lifer. And love New Orleans where it is set, and have been to several concerts at Lakefront Arena, where the Tap’s final gig is set. I was at an Allman Brother’s show there when during intermission, this iconic moment unfolded.

The sequel has 8-12 zingers that induce smiles and laughter. Often asides, like one from Paul McCartney and one from Questlove, explaining why he won’t take the gig as Tap’s 12th drummer.

There is frenetic youthful energy from Simon Howler (Chris Addison) who plays the band’s tone deaf PR flak after Bobbi Fleckman demurs. And eventual Tap drummer Didi Crockett (Valerie Franco).

As for Derek Smalls, Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Marti DeBergi, well, they act their age. In a poignant, often melancholy way. Which is a bit of a surprise and I found tender. The acceptance of long time friendship with its inevitable ups and downs. The weariness that comes with longevity, and the fortitude to carry on.

I liked the sequel, now showing in theaters, even if it doesn’t go all the way to 11.

For a few bucks, you can watch the original at Amazon Prime.

— c d kaplan

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