Forty-one years after the original, this very belated sequel to the spoof ‘rockumentary’ that introduced us to fictional heavy-metal band Spinal Tap was always going to suffer by comparison. Whereas once, Christopher Guest (as guitarist Nigel Tufnel), Michael McKean (lead guitarist/singer David St Hubbins) and Harry Shearer (bassist Derek Smalls) perfectly parodied the excesses of rock-star swagger, this reunion feels way past its sell-by-date. Once again with the film’s director Rob Reiner fronting the mock-doc as filmmaker Marty DiBergi, he now catches up with the band members, who have long since split, as they are contractually obliged to get back together and play one more concert in New Orleans. Nigel now works in a ‘cheese and guitars’ shop in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Derek manages a glue museum in Tooting Bec and David is hanging out in California, seemingly in a mood with the others. 

As they reluctantly reform, at the behest of their late manager’s daughter (Kerry Godliman), the band search for a new drummer, work with a vile promoter (Chris Addison), and try to patch up their differences. Old friends (publicist Bobbi Flekman, A&R Artie Fufkin) are shoehorned in alongside needless cameos (Paul McCartney, Elton John). The classic songs, like ‘Big Bottoms’, sound as good as ever, but with no new music and nods to old gags like the Stonehenge stage set, this just feels like an ageing rock band cashing in. Maybe that’s the joke, but the razor-sharp wit of This Is Spinal Tap is only glimpsed in flashes.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is in cinemas now.