| Home | Movies A-M | Movies N-Z | News |
The three members that we actually learn and care about are David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean, lead guitar and vocals), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest, lead guitar and vocals) and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer, bass and vocals). Hey, that name works, since we barely get to see Derek at all, and his part is so small.
Spinal Tap, in most parts, is funny, with the band overreacting to small sandwiches to a three foot high Stonehenge. It is hard, however, to understand or hear all of them since they use British accents and there are no subtitles on the DVD. They did put too many characters in, since I do not know how Fran Dresher got into it or anything.
The movie must be the shortest musical ever created, clocking in at 83 minutes. Even so, it stretches the premise out for way too long and would have been better as a half hour or even an hour TV special.
There were a fair number of jokes, as I've said before, but they don't "crack you up", they just hit you and you give a short laugh. Spinal Tap is entertaining, and all of the main actors are good. Reiner (who also co-scripted with the three leads) seemed to not know he was acting, but his part wasn't very demanding. The wigged band members (who did all their own singing) played their part like they were Spinal Tap. Michael McKean is one of my favorites, and Harry Shearer is from my favorite TV show, The Simpsons.
This is Spinal Tap is a usually funny and entertaining but too stretched out comedy that can get your toes a'tapping and your mouth a'smiling.
Rated R for language.
Review Date: November 24, 2002