Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (M) – 84 minutes

The 1984 mockumentary This is Spinal Tap, featuring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, marked Rob Reiner’s directorial debut.

In it, Reiner played Marty Di Bergi, a documentary filmmaker following the rock band’s American tour.

And now, here we are, four decades on, with Di Bergi creating another documentary, this time leading up to the band’s one-off reunion.

They haven’t performed together for 15 years and Nigel Tufnel (Guest), David St. Hubbins (McKean) and Derek Smalls (Shearer) have moved on with their lives.

Nigel, former Tap lead guitarist, now runs a cheese-and-guitar shop with girlfriend Moira (Nina Conti) and plays guitar in a local folk band.

David, former guitarist and lead singer, produces music for true-crime podcasts and on-hold phone music.

David's ex-wife, Jeanine, has become a nun.

Derek, former Tap bassist, is now curator of a glue museum.

The band members no longer keep in touch.

But it comes to pass that Hope Faith (Kerry Godliman), daughter of Spinal Tap’s original manager Ian Faith has inherited a contract.

It states that Tap is required to perform one more concert.

While there is tension between the trio, they no longer have a drummer, because all their previous ones have mysteriously died.

So, in their search to find a suitable candidate, they turn to some of the most famous names in the business. None is keen.

Enter a spirited young rocker in Didi Crockett (Valerie Franco).

As you can imagine, not all goes smoothly, with both Paul McCartney and Elton John entering the frame to lend a helping hand.

Still, before this is over, the original trio will be hospitalised and Didi will end up fighting for her life.

Ah – a rocker’s life!

There is much to enjoy in this sequel, which is farfetched, silly and loads of fun.

The sight gags and one liners keep piling up, which is exactly what you want from a film like this.

Rob Reiner makes for a compelling interviewer, who pieces everything together.

Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer look like their best days are behind them, as they are meant to, but keep on rolling on.

Valerie Franco adds spark as the new drummer.

There is also effective prickly interplay between Kerry Godliman and concert promoter Simon Howler (Chris Addison).

The camera loves Paul McCartney and Elton John, who are just so natural in front of camera and certainly not afraid to buy into the hilarious conceit of the doco.

Also, watch for the appearance of Fran Drescher (from the 90s TV sitcom The Nanny) and musician Garth Brooks, among others.

Whether or not you have seen the original Spinal Tap film, it is not hard to appreciate what is on offer on in Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

Rated M, it scores a 7 out of 10.