Spinal Tap II: The End Continues 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 18, 2025

Few people actually saw “This Is Spinal Tap” when it was originally released in 1984. The feature came and went, attracting some positive reviews and cult appreciation, leaving the real exposure of the film to home video and cable airings, where a fanbase developed, while the intimacy of domestic viewings certainly helped to process director Rob Reiner’s clever approach to faux documentary moviemaking. 41 years later, and the picture is a bona fide classic, one of the greatest comedies of all time, and stars Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer have certainly kept the brand name alive, releasing albums, making TV specials, and even touring as Spinal Tap, doing an incredibly impressive job extending the illusion with tremendous wit and good-natured fun. And now there’s “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” which is an official sequel, bringing Reiner and the guys back to the screen for a fresh round of heavy metal tomfoolery, assembling a valentine to the aging band while putting them through the wringer of comedic misfortune again in this slight but very funny follow-up.

While Spinal Tap continued on after the release of director Marty Di Bergi’s (Rob Reiner) embarrassing documentary on the band, the music eventually stopped, with members Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) going their separate ways 15 years ago. Hope (Kerry Godliman), the daughter of deceased Spinal Tap manager Ian, has inherited the group, looking to revive fortunes with a reunion concert in New Orleans. Back in the same room after a long break, David remains distant from Nigel, unable to communicate something that’s bothering him. As rehearsals begin, Spinal Tap returns to life with help from drummer Didi (Valerie Franco) and keyboardist Caucasian Jeff (Jeffrey Vanston), trying to settle their differences and deal with unreasonable demands from concert promoter Simon (Chris Addison).

Reintroductions are in order in “The End Continues,” returning Marty to filmmaking as he tries to document the reunion event. We don’t learn anything about the helmer, but he manages to connect with the band, revealing Nigel’s new role as the owner of a cheese and guitar shop, married to Moira (Nina Conti). Derek is in charge of a museum of glue, getting a charge out of rare items, and David is in California making music for murder podcasts. The reformation of Spinal Tap isn’t treated as an event in the picture, representing the slightly subdued vibe of the sequel, finding Reiner trying to plow through the concert plan instead of mounting a more significant story this time around. “The End Continues” also plays a brief game of catch-up with a handful of people from the original film, learning where they ended up (including Bobbi Flekman, played by Fran Drescher), but the feature doesn’t go crazy trying to connect to the 1984 movie, indulging in a little recycling here and there.

There isn’t much to “The End Continues” beyond concert preparations, with Simon basically the antagonist of the feature. The promoter literally can’t understand music, remaining impatient with the band as they go through promotional ideas and fitness routines (John Michael Higgins scores as a personal trainer), aiming to create excitement with three older men still dealing with interpersonal issues. Hope is more of an observer. “The End Continues” nails big laughs when focusing on Nigel, Derek, and David working out songs, receiving some help from music legends along the way. And Marty is around to ask questions, learning more about Nigel’s expansive guitar pedalboard (one device is pizza themed) and David’s deep disdain for Paul McCartney. Mishaps are present as well, including a farting prop to help improve a performance of “Big Bottom,” and the New Orleans setting is used well, finding the band frequently interrupted by ghost tours happening in their house (the great Don Lake portrays the guide).

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray

The image presentation for "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" does well with various lighting schemes found in the endeavor. A warmer look is found during studio and housing visits, while more dynamic displays are present during the concert sequence, which delivers tasteful highlights and slight clipping, which may be inherent to the original cinematography. Hues are alert with costuming and decorative additions, with brighter primaries on rock and roll gear. Greenery is also distinct. Skin tones are natural. Detail is strong, capturing elements of age on the main cast, along with fine hairs. Studio elements are open for inspection, maintain clarity on interiors. Exteriors and arena events remain deep. Costuming is fibrous, going from softer casual wear to more textured stage outfits. Blacks are deep, preserving concert venue lighting. Compression has a few weaker moments, exposing mild banding.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix isn't dealing with a particularly complicated feature, which favors extended dialogue exchanges as the cast riffs away in various interview scenarios and personal time. Voices maintain clarity, keeping comedy intelligible, also preserving group interactions and softer discussions and confessions. Music plays an important role in the movie, and instrumentation during performances is precise, offering a feel for band performances with acoustic and electric sounds. The mix offers some surround activity with musical offerings, but this is primarily frontal listening event, providing some heft on concert action. Low-end supplies a satisfactory beat with percussive instruments, and perks up with stage mishaps.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Deleted Scenes (21:06, HD) include "Mobius Trip," "Blind Bubba," "Bamboolaya," "Stonehenge Bow Ties," "Oh, My Insides," "Artie Fufkin's Dancing Inflatables," "FlekmanFluence Agency," "They're Not Ghosts," "It's Not a Random Bit of Spit," "Volcanic Eruption of a Rock and Roll Variety," "Look at How Cheery They Are," "Sandwiches in His Trousers," "Shitcan Stonehenge," "Paul McCartney," and "Spinal Tap Stayed Here." Deleted scenes offered from the original "This is Spinal Tap" home media releases revealed a vast amount of footage that detailed entire subplots eventually cut from the picture, with director Rob Reiner and his team in charge of turning 40 hours of material into an 80-minute movie. Additional footage from "The End Continues" isn't as revelatory, mostly regulated to extended interview footage with the band and a few supporting characters, with Simon the concert promoter offered a little more to do. A group discussion about fonts and pre-concert conversation are provided, and more laughs arrive with an extension of the fitness sequence, watching an idea for a headstand competition turn into a disaster. Please note that the deleted scenes are only available on the UHD release.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The End Continues" shows some strain when trying to create an emotional through line for David and Nigel, which doesn't fully connect, lacking a more focused effort to explore this difficult relationship. Reiner is speeding his way to the big show, and it's a fun performance, putting Spinal Tap back on stage, finding Didi and Caucasian Jeff great additions to the line-up. The picture ends rather abruptly (which is perhaps a blessing in disguise), but it contains multiple highlights and plenty of funny business, and it remains a treat to watch Guest, McKean, and Shearer play around again, joined by an animated Reiner. "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" doesn't come close to the brilliance of the 1984 endeavor, an impossible feat, but it's a breezy sit that should keep fans smiling when they aren't in stitches, offering another round of this special musical and comedic chemistry.