Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025) review

The three core members of (infamous) heavy metal band Spın̈al Tap, David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), haven't played together for fifteen years, but reunite for a one-time concert in New Orleans, with documentarian Marty DiBergi (Reiner, still looking like Brian De Palma) there to interview them and record their "creative process."  Reiner's feature debut in 1984 is widely regarded as a classic (it also received the Criterion treatment) but it never did anything for me - I don't care much for the "mockumentary" format in which the audience is placed in a position of "superiority" over the usually doltish, "inferior" characters - and this, even with appearances by Paul McCartney, Elton John and Questlove, isn't really that funny, with the exception of a couple of clever quips and some cute asides - guitar geeks, in particular, should get a few chuckles out of Nigel's pedalboard (I spotted the Korg Miku Stomp on there, too).  Tragically, it's Reiner's last effort as a director, as he and his wife were murdered on December 14th, 2025 by their son: surely an individual so dedicated to making people smile deserved a better end.