Review of This Is Spinal Tap (1984) by Ed C — 09 Sep 2013
An American comeback tour disintegrates for a UK rock band on its way down.
Camera follows the fake UK band Spinal Tap as they play at various venues in a USA comeback tour.
Rob Reiner interviews the band outside the concerts.
The band's sexist image is dealt with again and again.
The band's gigs were cancelled in Boston, Memphis, and just about everything after Ian quit. The latest album is not doing well at all.
They were big in Cleveland, but had a hard time finding the stage.
The Stonehenge prop in Austin, TX was funny.
Nigel quits after Ian. The 'End of Tour' party brings up the issue of 'End of Spinal Tap.'.
Nigel comes back at the end of tour, with a message from Ian. One of Spinal Tap's old hits was number 5 in Japan. Ian suggested getting together in Japan.
They go on without Nigel, but then he jumps in during the concert in Los Angeles.
Jump shift: Ian's back as manager, and they perform to a big crowd in Japan.
Cinematography: 7/10 More fluorescent green tones than I wanted to see in any one movie. Fortunately, most of the film was fine.
Sound: 4/10 Ridiculously bad. The sound levels keep toggling between too loud (need to change the volume down to avoid the neighbors complaining) and too soft (need to up the volume to make out normal voices at all). I gave up after a while.
Acting: 5/10 Michael McKean was exceptionally good. Harry Shearer was in that special place he occupies between boring and repellant. Christopher Guest is an actor I hope never to see again.
Screenplay: 6/10 Moderately funny throughout as the band stumbles from town to town.
This review of This Is Spinal Tap (1984) was written by Ed C on 09 Sep 2013.
This Is Spinal Tap has generally received very positive reviews.
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