This Is Spinal Tap - Criterion Collection

Starring:Ed Begley Jr., Dana Carvey, Jean Cromie, Chazz Dominguez, Fran Drescher, Christopher Guest, Shari Hall, Tony Hendra, David Kaff, Bruno Kirby, Danny Kortchmar, Patrick Macnee, Patrick Maher, Michael McKean, R.J. Parnell, Julie Payne, Harry Shearer, Kimberly Stringer, Memo Vera
Studio: Criterion
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Director Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) solemnly alerts us to the glory that was Spinal Tap in his introduction to this "rockumentary" about the legendary British heavy-metal group, featuring lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), lead singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), and a succession of drummers whose careers were cut short by spontaneously combusting on their stool, drowning in somebody else's vomit, or otherwise perishing in untimely fashion. Under DiBergi's studious interrogation, the band and their familiars retrace the band's evolution from head-bopping Mersey Beat poseurs to head-banging metal poseurs, each change in musical direction or tonsorial chic having little effect on the surviving trio's sublime idiocy. For, as St. Hubbins (he's the "deep" one, relatively speaking) sagely observes, "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."

Amazon.com

Director Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) solemnly alerts us to the glory that was Spinal Tap in his introduction to this "rockumentary" about the legendary British heavy-metal group, featuring lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), lead singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), and a succession of drummers whose careers were cut short by spontaneously combusting on their stool, drowning in somebody else's vomit, or otherwise perishing in untimely fashion. Under DiBergi's studious interrogation, the band and their familiars retrace the band's evolution from head-bopping Mersey Beat poseurs to head-banging metal poseurs, each change in musical direction or tonsorial chic having little effect on the surviving trio's sublime idiocy. For, as St. Hubbins (he's the "deep" one, relatively speaking) sagely observes, "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."

Description

Rob Reiner's directorial debut has developed into a cult phenomenon. The film that invented the "rockumentary" has now outlasted most of the bands it mocked. Following the ill-fated American comeback tour of an aging heavy metal group, this film has joined the ranks of the greatest comedies ever made.

Customer Reviews:

Stretches a joke too far.......2007-06-30

I tried to like this movie, but it's really a 5 minute joke stretched too far. In fact it's gone on now for nearly a quarter century. Isn't enough is enough? Apparently not.

Yes, rock music can be silly sometimes, but basing careers out of a parody of it is surely stretching it.

I smiled a bit for the first few minutes. After that it felt like being hit over the head with a club. "Hey it's funny, see? Did you see that joke we made? Funny! Oh and here's another one! It's funnier than the similar one we made an hour ago! Isn't this hilarious?!"

I was never offended by it, if that's why you think I gave it a low rating. I was just bored at how tedious the film became.

Should have been a 5 minute skit on Saturday Night Live or something.

Awesomely funny!.......2007-06-18

I love the dry humor of this movie. I've been a huge music fan for years and love the way the various scenarios are blown out of proportion. For example, the little bread, big meat catering problem. You'll have to watch the movie to know what I'm talking about. If you need more of an "in your face" sort of humor, then this movie is not for you.

"What's wrong with being sexy?".......2007-05-24

I'm a huge metal fan. Whether hair metal, old school, nu metal, alt-metal, prog metal or death metal, I like 'em all. We're talking Slipknot, Iron Maiden, Korn, Poison, Nirvana, Tool, Anthrax, System of a Down, Savatage, Alice In Chains, Faith No More, Lamb of God, Queensryche, Sepultura, Shockplate and many more. And with that enjoyment of heavy metal comes an appreciation of the greatest rock satire of all-time:
"This Is Spinal Tap."

Directed by Rob Reiner ("When Harry Met Sally") -- who also doubles as budding documentarian Marty DiBergi -- this mockumentary follows the floundering career of the once-great Spinal Tap. Led by guitarist/vocalist David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), guitarist/vocalist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), the Tap is ready to embark on what will surely be a hugely successful tour in support of their new album.

Alas, a variety of dastardly forces unite to ruin Spinal Tap's big tour, from meddling record execs to politically correct organizations to women who, well, are just frightened of the band because they have armadillos in their trousers. Infighting within the band, a mysterious Yoko Ono-esque character, and the band's inability to make it from the dressing room to the stage without getting lost don't help the cause, either. Can the band overcome hardship and rekindle their former glory, or will they be stuck playing barmitzvahs?

Despite a lean running time of 82 minutes, This Is Spinal Tap manages to lampoon an impressive number of rock and metal cliches. The result is a plethora of classic scenes and one-liners, such as when Spinal Tap's guitarist shows off his amps to director Marty DiBergi, and brags about how it's so loud it "goes to 11." When DiBergi asks why he just doesn't make 10 louder, the guitarist looks puzzled for a moment before offering his deadpan response: "This one goes to 11."

The film is also filled with live performances of such Spinal Tap classics as "Big Bottom," "Hell Hole," and "Sex Farm." Each is as hilarious as its title would suggest and does a great job of skewering the big dumb sex mentality of many hard rock bands.

Despite its greatness, "This Is Spinal Tap" does suffer a bit from the fact that it pre-dated the heyday of the hair metal explosion, which could have lent itself to some more good gags that seem to be missing from the film. And some of the jokes here have copied so many times they probably don't seem as fresh as they did more than 20 years ago. But considering, for example,that Spinal Tap's "black" album pre-dated Metallica's by seven years, it's hard to complain too much.

"This Is Spinal Tap" rewards repeat viewings, as it delivers as much subtle humor as in-your-face laughs. Keep an eye out for cameos by stars such as Billy Crystal, Bruno Kirby and Dana Carvey. The Special Edition DVD, boasting a hilarious intro, incredibly funny commentary track, and hours of solid deleted scenes, is a must-watch. Whether you're a rock or heavy metal fan -- or even if you hate these genres -- you'll get a kick out of "This Is Spinal Tap."

Absolutely Brilliant !!.......2007-05-23

One of the funniest movies ever made ! I won't add to the product descriptions,plenty of reviews for that.But I will add some observations.
I've lived in Austin,Tx ,"The Live Music Capitol of the World" ,for the past 30 years, & have known many in the music scene .And no one loves this movie more than the musicians that it skewers.Especially the metal acts . If you ever want to crack one of them up,drop a line from Spinal Tap .Everyone will end up quoting their own favorite line.The smart ones see the joke/danger.The others don't make it and/or end up as jokes themselves.
Second thing is,the "in character"voice commentaries alone are worth the price for any fan wondering why to buy this edition.It is just as brilliant in concept as the movie itself.
Third thing.Spinal Tap was obviously based on several bands and an entire genre to a degree.But my favorite candidate for "most based on" is the '70's band Uriah Heep.They were famous for changing drummers,even changing in mid-album once.I'm a child of the 70's and still listen to them occasionaly.But now I can't keep the grin off my face & keep thinking of that thin,fine line between stupid & clever.Long live Rock 'N Roll !!

BEST MOVIE EVER.......2007-05-23

I just love this movie. It has so many classic moments. Like Nigels guitar collection. The black album. The drummers. Just watch it. HILARIOUS!

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