Are you ready to rock? All together now: “Big bottom, big bottom, talk about bum cakes, my gal’s got ’em!” Yes, the majestic lyrics of Spinal Tap classic Big Bottom, a titter-ye-not, adolescent schoolboy highlight from 1984 “rocku-mockumentary” This is Spinal Tap.
Well, 41 years later and (much like the real world: see Guns N’ Roses, Oasis and every other group that ever existed) the band are back together. They’re still blasting out those bum cakes, although sensibly for more “progressive” times Spinal Tap have dropped the ickier, pervier Sex Farm from their setlist.
Luckily for expectant Spinalmania groupies, most of the talent that made the first film is on the bus again. And, phew, they can still crank the humour and awkward schadenfreude up to 11 (well, let’s be honest, to about 10½).
Godlike mockumentary genius Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer return as the three remaining members of the band — guitarist Nigel Tufnel, lead singer David St Hubbins and bassist Derek Smalls respectively. All three are also on writing duties again, while Rob Reiner directs and slyly nudges his camera into every cranny as faux-naive documentary-maker Marty DiBergi once more.
Weirdly, all of them look suitably ancient apart from Reiner, who only appears to have aged about five years. Give us some of what you’re taking, Rob!
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It's 15 years since the band uttered a word to each other and they’ve all hung up their axes for a quieter life. Literally in the case of Nigel, who now runs a cheese and guitar shop in Berwick-upon-Tweed (surely Blur bassist turned milk-churner Alex James will be venting, “Oi! I thought of that first”).
Sadly Tony Hendra, who played the band’s manager Ian Faith, died in 2021. However, Ian’s daughter Hope (Kerry Godliman) has inherited the band’s contract, which requires Spinal Tap to play just one more gig…
So “The Tap” head to New Orleans (randomly, although the city provides some off-the-wall humour) to rehearse and perform their final ever show. Also touching down in the Big Easy is The Thick of It’s Chris Addison as their spiky, thrusty new pop svengali Simon (who was the inspiration for that name, we wonder?).
Simon is hungry for a cash-in and wants to shift plenty of age-appropriate merch at the gig — stair lifts perhaps. “I don’t know how you’re going to sell those at a concert,” quips one band member. Bar a couple of tiny bum notes, the casual situation-comedy gags hit home nicely, including a deliciously pathetic return to the subject of guitars and cheese from Nigel.
Of course, they need a new drummer, what with the curse of the previous 11 all dying in mysterious circumstances, such as chocking to death on vomit (not their own vomit of course). Here begins a long parade of rock royalty cameos. Metallica’s Lars Ulrich is of the strong opinion that the drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is the best person to take the hit.
Paul McCartney rolls in for a lengthier role, however the undoubted star turn comes from Elton John (accompanied by husband David Furnish). We all know Elton is a trouper, but boy does this guy send himself forward for a gloriously OTT, showstopping finale.
This is a fond, chaotic yet subtle tribute to the original movie and, hopefully, a one-off farewell. Cheers fellas, big bottoms up!
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is in cinemas from September 12
