Critics Have Seen Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, And They Have Strong Opinions About How It Compares To The Original

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Among the upcoming movies in 2025, some titles demonstrate that even venerable classics can be revisited with success. For instance, we’ve recently had “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (released 19 years after its initial sequel), “The Naked Gun” (31 years since the last film), and now “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” which boasts a gap of 41 years between it and the 1984 original, “This Is Spinal Tap.” Critics are eager to see the long-awaited sequel to one of the most celebrated music movies; the question now is, does it reach an eleven on the scale of excellence?

Critics are expressing their opinions about the comeback of Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls, as filmmaker Marty Di Bergi records the band’s reunion and farewell performance. Liz Shannon Miller from Consequence has rated the mockumentary titled “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” with an A- grade, describing it as a “fun-filled journey filled with music” that honors the band’s legacy appropriately. In her review, she notes that it is a delightful experience.

In simpler terms, you might describe Spinal Tap II as a film light on narrative plot points. While it has a looming countdown for their big show, there’s little suspense surrounding whether they’ll perform or achieve success. Yet, it offers an exceptional and unique viewing experience. It explores the lives of aging men reflecting on their past relationships, a perspective that can only be achieved through at least five decades of genuine friendship.

For over three decades, these three have been performing as Spinal Tap and previously as The Folksmen from “A Mighty Wind.” This long-standing partnership adds a sense of nostalgia that Frank Scheck from The Hollywood Reporter mentions in his review. He finds it entertaining, even if it doesn’t elicit uproarious laughter. In addition, he states that the critic continues by expressing it inspires chuckles rather than full-blown giggles.

The humor is subtly witty yet funnier in a gentle laugh-out-loud way rather than a side-splittingly hilarious one. Similar to many late sequels, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues predominantly relies on nostalgia and fondness for the original, extending invitations for appearances from veterans of the first film like Fran Drescher and Paul Schaffer.

According to Clint Gage from IGN, the movie earns an “Okay” rating of 6 out of 10. He notes that while it doesn’t quite match the original, given the numerous fans who find it the funniest film they’ve ever seen, it might be unfair to compare it too closely. In his opinion, Rob Reiner and the cast seem to be enjoying themselves immensely in this production, resulting in a comedy that is “quite satisfying.” As Gage puts it, the movie delivers an enjoyable watch despite not reaching the heights of the original.

Revisiting the iconic heavy metal group Spinal Tap, who first appeared 40 years ago in a documentary about their decline in popularity, brings a delightful sense of nostalgia as they embark on a reunion tour. However, it falls short of surpassing the original in terms of quality. The narrative recaptures elements from the past, such as the enigmatic plight of their drummers meeting untimely ends or stage equipment acting erratically, but it fails to reach the heights of the original production. It’s a tough act to follow after all these years, and perhaps setting such high standards was too ambitious for a project like this one.

According to Ryan Lattanzio of IndieWire, this film receives a moderate grade of C+. He notes that it is likely to be enjoyed by fans of the initial movie, enthusiasts of Christopher Guest’s other mockumentaries, and cinema-goers who are under the influence. The critic implies that the film may cater to these specific groups of people.

This film, titled “Spinal Tap II: The Saga Persists,” offers a witty, unoffensive, and humorous take on the legacies we tend to evade but eventually confront in our middle or later years. It’s a sequel that might induce laughter, particularly if one is under the influence. The humor leans towards dry, deadpan wit, resonating strongly with the mockumentary style of producer Christopher Guest, known for comedies such as “Best in Show” and “A Mighty Wind.

John Nugent from Empire rates “This Is Spinal Tap” with 2 out of 5 stars, stating that the greatness of the original film makes the disappointment of “Spinal Tap II” even more frustrating. Essentially, he says that “Spinal Tap II” is just as unamusing as the original was amusing.

The lack of successful comedy in this performance is truly disheartening. However, the one positive note is that their musical talent remains undeniable, shining through from their initial harmonious a cappella to powerful performances of hits like ‘Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight’. Although Tap might not be as spirited as they once were, their rock skills are as robust as ever.

While some critics acknowledge that “The End Continues” doesn’t quite match up to the 1984 cult masterpiece, given how challenging a task that is, I don’t believe its less-than-stellar comparison should dissuade anyone from giving it a watch when it premieres in theaters on September 12.

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2025-09-12 06:09