It’s been more than four decades since the release of the cult mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap. Written by and starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Rob Reiner (who also directed), the 1984 comedy didn’t make much noise at the box office. However, it went on to achieve legendary status through home video, cable, and word of mouth—cementing itself as a cornerstone of pop culture.
Behind the scenes, though, things weren’t all laughs. The cast and creators eventually filed a lawsuit against the studio that owned the rights, seeking millions in damages and the termination of the Spinal Tap copyright. That legal battle is one of the key reasons a sequel never materialized—until now.
Despite the original’s cult status, I wasn’t sure Spinal Tap II would attract much interest from modern audiences. Sadly, those doubts proved justified. The $22.6 million film grossed only $3.2 million before vanishing quickly from theaters. The first film may have been modest, but at least it turned a profit. So the real question remains: does the sequel live up to the original?
Not really—but it’s not a total bust either. For longtime fans, there’s genuine satisfaction in simply seeing the band back together after all these years. Guest, McKean, Shearer, and Reiner are all visibly older, but it’s still a joy to see Nigel, David, Derek, and Marty share the screen again. The plot almost feels secondary—because, as with the original, the true magic lies in the cast’s improvisational chemistry. They fall back into rhythm, even if it’s a bit slower this time around.
Several familiar faces make welcome returns, including Fran Drescher, June Chadwick, and Paul Shaffer reprising their roles as Bobbi, Jeanine, and Artie. There are also some fun celebrity cameos from the likes of Paul McCartney and Elton John.
The setup is simple: Nigel, David, and Derek haven’t spoken since the band’s breakup years ago. When their former manager Ian passes away, his daughter Hope Faith (Kerry Godliman) inherits a contract requiring one final concert. Marty sets out to reunite the band and capture the process for a new documentary.
Spinal Tap II is every bit as absurd as the first film, though it never quite reaches the same comedic heights. Still, it has its moments, and it’s clear the cast is having a blast revisiting these iconic characters. A standout addition is Valerie Franco as Didi Crockett, the band’s new drummer. It takes courage to sit behind the kit for Spinal Tap, given the group’s deadly history with percussionists—but Franco brings a fresh, youthful energy to the mix.
While I can’t say I loved the sequel, I do recommend watching it for the sheer comfort of catching up with this hilariously aging fictional band. It may not go to eleven, but it still strikes a few enjoyable chords.
By: Marc Ferman
