"Tap 2" is too little, too late - and if I may say so - too flat

 

Arriving forty-one years after the original mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap, this sequel feels as if it's several months late for the big dance. Back is also the late Rob Reiner, not only as the director, but also the filmmaker within the movie, Marty DiBergi. He joins Spinal Tap members Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), and David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), who are in New Orleans (as a result of another performance's cancellation) to perform a much awaited concert.

The miracle is that so many of the original cast members are still among the living, considering how much time has passed since the original. Far less miraculous is the stale script, which delivers some of the same old familiar gags (tension among band members, and Nigel's perpetual stupidity) without ever justifying its existence. Spinal Tap 2 is a shadow of the inspiration that sparked this storyline into existence; if they had to revive it, why couldn't they have supplied these actors with a script worthy of their time - and ours?

☆☆