Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

While this may not be the comedic masterpiece that the first film was, it is still often really funny. 

After having been separated for years Britian's loudest rock band gets back together for a reunion tour and once again this tour is documented by filmmaker Marty DiBergi (played by director Rob Reiner). The first movie is a true comedic masterpiece that is still just as funny over 40 years later. This sequel may not reach those heights, but it is wildly entertaining. Not every joke lands (a running gag about a ghost tour and a long fart joke simply don't work) but the gags that are funny are truly hilarious. I laughed out loud many times watching this movie. Like many of the gags from the original these walk the "fine line between clever and stupid." Once again much of the dialogue is improvised by the actors who play the three main members of the band (Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer). They are just as quick and funny here as they were in their younger days providing some truly hilarious moments. The story also does a great job of parodying aging rock stars and current musical climate. It may not feel as fresh in this department as the first, but there is some very clever satire hidden under the dumb jokes. Adding to this film's fun is Valerie Franco as the band's new drummer. While she may not have as many hilarious moments as the main three members, she brings a fun delightful energy to her role that works perfectly here. Cameos by music legends Paul McCartney and Elton John also provide some truly hilarious moments. 

However, this movie can lean too heavily on nostalgia. There are too many jokes that are not really funny themselves but rather are there to remind the audience of some great moments from the first movie. The band even performs some of their old songs in near full without enough of a twist to make them fresh (luckily Stonehenge does have a bit of a twist that makes it a comedic highlight). Still the very few new songs are not as funny or clever as the original songs

Even if it doesn't reach the height of the original, this comedy still contains plenty of really funny moments.