Spinal Tap II: The End Continues arrives with the kind of baggage only a decades-delayed sequel can carry. The original This is Spinal Tap (1984) didn’t start life as a blockbuster or even much of a mainstream success; rather, it built its legend over time through home video, midnight screenings, cable reruns, and the growing realization among musicians and comedy fans that they were witnessing something truly special. The film became a cult phenomenon not because it demanded attention, but because it earned it through razor-sharp parody, endlessly quotable lines, and a style of mockumentary that would go on to define a genre. With that legacy in mind, the idea of a sequel has always been met with a mix of excitement, hesitation, and curiosity. Now that Spinal Tap 2 is finally here, the question naturally becomes: is it worth the wait?
L-R: Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel and Rob Reiner as Martin DiBergi in Bleecker Street’s SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES. Photo Credit: Bleecker Street / Kyle Kaplan. Photo courtesy of Bleecker Street.
The answer, as it often is with long-gestating sequels, is complicated. There’s certainly plenty to like, but there’s just as much that doesn’t quite recapture the magic of the original. The film’s strongest moments come from its commitment to embracing the absurdity of the band’s mythology and leaning into the meta-humor that helped make the first movie so beloved. The cameo appearances in particular are a highlight, injecting fresh energy whenever the pacing begins to lag. One of the absolute standouts is Questlove (Soul; Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), appearing as himself on a Zoom call with the aging band. His dry, deadpan reluctance to join Spinal Tap as their newest drummer (due, of course, to the band’s long, tragic, and hilarious history of drummers meeting bizarre ends) lands perfectly. It’s a smart use of a celebrity cameo that doesn’t feel cheap or forced, and it becomes one of the film’s funniest running gags.
Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins in Bleecker Street’s SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES. Photo Credit: Bleecker Street / Kyle Kaplan. Photo courtesy of Bleecker Street.
Unfortunately, the movie can’t maintain that level of comedic sharpness consistently. While the original film thrived on subtlety and improvisational brilliance, the sequel often feels stuck repeating its greatest hits. Much of the humor leans heavily on the familiar, and while nostalgia can be fun, it can also lead to moments that feel overly repetitive or stretched thin. Several scenes give the impression of skits that go on too long or jokes that were more amusing in concept than execution. The heart is there, but the freshness isn’t always, and fans of the first movie may find themselves wishing the sequel took more risks rather than relying so much on callbacks.
Still, if you’re already a fan of This is Spinal Tap, the sequel remains worth watching — even if only out of affection for the original trio and the world they created. Just be sure to temper expectations. This isn’t a reinvention, nor is it a spiritual successor that elevates the franchise; it’s more like a reunion tour filled with familiar riffs, some of which work and some of which remind you why sequels to comedy classics are notoriously difficult to pull off. The best advice is to go in expecting a lighter, looser revisit rather than a groundbreaking follow-up. Leave your brain at the door, relax, and enjoy the moments that do manage to shine.
L-R: Chris Addison as Simon Howler, Kerry Godliman as Hope Faith, Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel, Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins, and Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls in Bleecker Street’s SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES. Photo Credit: Bleecker Street / Kyle Kaplan. Photo courtesy of Bleecker Street.
As for the Blu-ray release, it offers a solid technical presentation. The audio captures the mock-rock energy effectively with clean dialogue and music cues that hit with clarity. The video quality is equally sharp, providing a crisp and colorful image suitable for home viewing. While the disc isn’t packed with extras, the deleted scenes and trailers included offer a small glimpse behind the curtain, adding marginal value for collectors and longtime fans.
L-R: Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel, Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls, and Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins in Bleecker Street’s SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES. Photo Credit: Bleecker Street / Kyle Kaplan. Photo courtesy of Bleecker Street.
In the end, Spinal Tap II is a mixed bag — fun in places, frustrating in others, and ultimately unable to fully escape the towering shadow of its predecessor. But for diehards and nostalgia seekers, it’s still an amusing enough encore.
No bonus features included with this release.
Available on VOD and digital September 30th, 2025.
Available on 4K UHD Steelbook, Blu-ray, and DVD November 11th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Bleecker Street Spinal Tap II: The End Continues webpage.
Final Score: 2.5 out of 5.
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Categories: Home Video, Reviews, streaming
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