'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues' Fails to go to 11, but Does Bring a Little Magic

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By: Michael Drukarsh - For over 40 years, the movie This is Spinal Tap along with the band itself has woven its way into the fabric of society providing songs and quotes that lend themself perfectly to day to day living. “This goes to eleven”, “It’s such a fine line between stupid and clever”, and “I mean, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black” are just a few examples of the witty repertoire we were served when we first met the three main members of Spinal Tap, founders David St. Hubbins (Micheal McKean) lead vocalist along with rhythm and lead guitar and Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) lead and rhythm guitar along with bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) way back in 1984.

With the announcement of the follow up movie Spinal Tap II: The End Continues coming so long after the original I was really worried about how it would hit audiences that are either too young to even know the first movie existed or old enough to already be in on the joke (see my article from August 20). Well, last night night, I and fellow Taphead and great friend Carol Fair attended a screening at Newmarket’s Silver City and to paraphrase the great mockumentery maker Marty DiBergi “I want to capture the... the sights, the sounds... the smells of a hard-working rock movie. And I got that; I got more... a lot more. But hey, enough of my yakkin'; whaddaya say? Let's boogie!"

Like the first movie we are introduced to the concept of what is about to take place by the above mentioned Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) who informs the audience that due to a contractual obligation discovered by Hope Faith, daughter of late Tap manager and cricket bat wielding Ian Faith, Spinal Tap has one more concert to play before they can officially retire. With that, the movie follows the members as they are pulled away from their everyday lives, Tufnel a cheese shop owner, Smalls, the curator of a glue museum and St. Hubbins, a podcast music score writer, to once again hit the stage as the mighty Tap!

While the movie did not deliver the same dry wit and humour found in the first film, it did bring back a lot of nostalgic feelings for true fans of the film, band and actors. Thankfully Reiner, who is the director of both films, did not rely heavily on old jokes from the past. Instead, the movie is focused on the 10 days or so leading up to the final concert and how three men come together to try and bring back a little of the magic that once was.

An unknown rift (revealed and resolved with about 5 minutes left in the movie) between Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins is the very weak premise used to create conflict within the film. With that aside, the movie focuses on the three members and newly found, incredibly talented and enthusiastic drummer DD Crocket rehearsing in an incredibly equipped space in New Orleans, where the final concert will take place due to a last minute cancellation of an appearance by Stormy Daniels.

Watching the three musicians go through their lengthy catalogue of songs was truly the heart of the movie. Both Carol and I were in awe of the blurred lines created by witnessing the incredible talent of McKean, Guest, and Shearer in the guise of older and maybe a little wiser St. Hubbins, Tufnel and Smalls as they strummed, hummed, and rehearsed classic songs such as “Cups and Cakes” with Paul McCartney and "(Listen to the) Flower People" with Elton John.

What was captured on film throughout Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is a realistic look at an aging, or in this case, aged band coming together one last time to give the audience (both within the movie and in the theatre) an opportunity to hear the hits one more time.

As the members of Spinal Tap gathered together for the first time in their rehearsal space and broke into a beautifully harmonized acapella version of "Celtic Blue" I couldn’t help but think of what it must have been like for Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, and Bill coming together after 20 years apart to prepare for their final concert. Just a few regular blokes who just happen to create magic whenever they are together.

With all this being said, what did I think of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues? Well, to once again steal a quote, “And I looked and I saw that it was good”.

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