Courtesy of Bleecker Road
One of many earliest films to thrive within the VHS period after its theatrical run fizzled 41 years in the past, “This Is Spinal Faucet” was basically an 80-minute meme earlier than memes even existed. Now comes “Spinal Faucet II: The Finish Continues,” a sequel that errors many years of viewers goodwill and cult-classic standing as sufficient motive to fireside up one other reunion tour. What we get is a biggest hits set, wrapped in nostalgia.
There’s one thing undeniably charming about seeing Michael McKean, Christopher Visitor, and Harry Shearer as soon as once more slip into the egos of David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls. This time they’re joined by the likes of Paul McCartney and Elton John, cameos that exist for no motive aside from to show the filmmakers may get them. Nonetheless, “Spinal Faucet II” is much less about topping the unique and extra about reminding us why it turned iconic within the first place. The film is knowingly dumb, always winking on the viewers, and whereas there’s nothing right here as timeless as “turning it as much as 11,” a gag involving a guitar with a hidden cheese compartment comes shut.
Co-writer and director Rob Reiner additionally returns as Marty DiBergi, the hapless director chronicling what’s billed as Spinal Faucet’s closing reunion. At a brisk 83 minutes, the movie doesn’t overstay its welcome. However the place the unique mockumentary felt recent and groundbreaking, the format has since been elevated by sharper successors like “Popstar: By no means Cease By no means Stopping” and “Stroll Onerous: The Dewey Cox Story.” By comparability, this feels a bit out of step.
The band members themselves have additionally aged out of the chaos. McKean and Visitor are actually 78, whereas Shearer is 81, and although they continue to be keen individuals, their weariness typically seeps by way of the efficiency. That pressure is even performed for laughs; among the best jokes entails the group’s PR staff suggesting {that a} band member faux a coma (or demise) to generate publicity. Elsewhere, the screenplay has them scattered: Derek chasing crypto schemes, David co-hosting a true-crime podcast, and Nigel operating a cheese store. These diversions land higher than a lot of the live performance banter.
When the music lastly hits, although, it’s nonetheless a thrill. Watching them belt out “Hell Gap,” “Huge Backside,” and, after all, “Stonehenge” scratches that nostalgic itch. New solid members add some spark too, notably Kerry Godliman as Hope Religion, daughter of the band’s late supervisor Ian (initially performed by Tony Hendra), and Valerie Franco as Spinal Faucet’s twelfth drummer. Each convey a recent burst of power to the getting old ensemble.
“Spinal Faucet II” doesn’t fairly crank it as much as 11, but it surely lands at a stable 6.5. For die-hard followers, which may be sufficient.
SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES is now enjoying in theaters.