A Spinal Tap Reunion

Crazy how they sound better than actual bands. They work together better than actual bands. Tells you a lot. Tells you a whole, whole, whole lot. Talks to you about a ton. Not a ton of fun but a ton of facts.

Better play it up to the 11 on the dials and do not dial the dial back or we will be tapped.

"The Return Of Spinal Tap" proves that Spinal Tap were indeed a band of superb musicians, excellent vocalists and ultimate showmen. It doesn't matter that they are fictional characters, because what you get here is one of the most powerful sounding and visually impressive rock'n'roll stage shows anyone could ever hope to see.

Sadly when Tap did Australian appearances to promote their "Break Like The Wind" CD, the public and media all thought that they were joking when they said they were planning a world tour and that Australia could be included if demand was high enough. This film is some compensation for all of us who missed out on experiencing Tap live and at their peak.

Filmed with inclusion of state of the art flying cameras and superb visual editing as well as sound production. I've enjoyed many repeat viewings of the LaserDisc over the years - and I'm always blown away. Crank your sound system to eleven and enjoy the ride.

Mildly disappointing "reunion" of the fictional band made famous by the wonderful mockumentary, THIS IS SPINAL TAP. Most of the film consists of concert footage, and though the actors do a more than credible job on-stage, you come away wishing there had been more interviews and gags. Almost all the best songs were featured in the original movie, although there is a wonderfully cynical finale. Not bad, but on a scale of 1 to 11, a very modest 6.

To say this movie (straight to video it looks like) is as classic and groundbreaking as the original This Is Spinal Tap would be wrong. But still, the film has it's moments of being utterly hilarious and is worth watching through the flaws. It consists of concert footage and songs not yet heard. But it also has backstage and outside footage of the band. That footage is not great outside, but there are some real laugh out loud moments, like when Nigel shows his new invention- a foldable wine glass (but it still needs hinges). Martin Short, Paul Schaffer and Rob Reiner appear in cameos; the songs include Hell Hole, America, Stonehendge and Tonight We're gonna rock it. A-

It was fun to watch Spinal Tap back in action 10 years on, and there was some humor in the (all too infrequent) interviews and bits. But it really isn't worth the effort to buy or put much time into finding this video.

It doesn't feel like a cash-in; the product is not some c****y cop-out. No, the problem lies more in the same range as the problems with watching a Weird Al concert video - the joke just doesn't work if you weren't there in person. It becomes, at best, something that makes you raise a slight grin... whereas in person, the show was probably a blast.