This is Spinal Tap: A Fictional Band?

Hey all! Let’s continue on this musical train through the beginning of the holidays with a hilarious mockumentary. This is Spinal Tap.

THIS IS SPINAL TAP

DIRECTED BY: Rob Reiner

STARRING: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner, June Chadwick, Tony Hendra, Bruno Kirby

GENRE: Rock music mockumentary, comedy

YEAR: 1984

COUNTRY: United States

British heavy metal band Spinal Tap embarks on their biggest tour in the US to date to promote their new album “Smell The Glove”. The tour is so big that it’s attracted the attention of documentary filmmaker Marti DeBergi, who decides to make a movie about Spinal Taps’ trek across America. But as the documentary goes along, Spinal Tap sees their audiences dwindle from selling out huge arenas to going to play at charity benefits, and eventually playing private parties where no one pays attention to their music. Their new album drops and it’s decently reviewed by critics, but the record stores have a huge problem with the sexist overtones of the album’s cover, causing a loss in sales. However, a series of incidents that constantly shoot themselves in the foot – whether it’s a minuscule Stonehenge monument, a stage prop malfunction, or a simple two word review of an album – keep preventing the band from enjoying the success they deserve. But how long can they keep playing to 11? And will they find the audience that suits them?

Welcome to the world of Spinal Tap, where the booze flows freely and we turn it up to 11 consistently. Anyway jokes aside, this is my first time checking out the film that spawned a cult following as well as an actual band/experience. Out of all the 80’s comedies I have seen over the years, This is Spinal Tap has to be one of the funniest 80s films ever. There, I said it. This mockumentary pulls out all of the stops, providing you with non-stop laughter the entire way through. This is even backed up by some stellar performances from the main cast, resulting in an actual real life Spinal Tap.

Believe it or not, I actually don’t have any poor things to mention about This is Spinal Tap. I mean, I can bitch and complain about the techniques the Reiner used while shooting, but then again that is the mixture of his personal style and the rules of the mockumentary genre. Some of the jokes are clearly dated, but then again, they are still hilarious. Need a solid satire. Look no further.

PROS:

• Entire cast performance.
• Epic soundtrack.
• Pure satire.

CONS:

• Mockumentary style.

SCORE: 9 / 10

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