Truly ingenious film.

Rating: 8/10 (14 June 2004)

THIS IS SPINAL TAP is a "rockumentary" chronicling the fictitious UK band Spinal Tap on a US tour. This band consists of lead singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), drummer Mick Shrimpton (R.J. Parnell), keyboardist Viv Savage (David Kaff), and their manager Ian Faith (Tony Hendra). Unfortunately, Spinal Tap's followers are thinning out, and all of their marketing schemes seem to fall short, causing Faith to quit as the manager and David's girlfriend Jeanine Pettibone (June Chadwick) to take over, becoming something of a Yoko Ono. General band conflicts ensue.
THIS IS SPINAL TAP is an incredibly clever parody on many (or maybe all) metal bands of the '80s. They have their gimmicks, their crazy stage antics, and their animosities and comradery. Some of the jokes in the movie are sheerly random (the cucumber in Derek's pants at the airport), while some are just ingenious (the amp that goes up to 11 instead of 10). But everything is truly hilarious, and will make you ask yourself, "What the hell?!" through your laughter. Other high points include the Stonehenge performance, Nigel's song in D minor, and the cover of Spinal Tap's new album, "Smell the Glove."
What an inventive movie. The script is absolutely classic, and all of the actors are priceless and great in their roles, namely Michael McKean and Christopher Guest as the Lennon and McCartney of Spinal Tap. The movie is only topped off by the hilarious and well-played concert scenes. There's nothing artificial or even boring about THIS IS SPINAL TAP. One of the funniest movies I've seen in a while. 8.5/10.