‘This is Spinal Tap II’ Reviews Are Out: “Sh*t Sandwich”

It’s called “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” and it’s a sequel to the 1984 comedy classic. The film has barely been marketed by Bleecker Street, which set a September 12 theatrical release date for the Rob Reiner-directed film.

The review embargo lifted last night, less than 24 hours before Thursday previews are set to begin. Right now, it’s at 57 on Metacritic.. The reviews aren’t good, with a few tongue-in-cheek reviews referring to it as “sh*t sandwich,” which comes up in a fake review of one of the band’s albums in the 1984 film.

There’s virtually no buzz around this movie. Advance ticket sales have been minimal so far. Part of the reason for the lack of excitement might have to do with the trailer not being very good — there were barely any laughs in it.

Tackling a clumsy musical group known as “one of England’s loudest bands,” 1984’s “This is Spinal Tap” immortalized the mockumentary genre. It’s a classic, packed with memorable quotes every minute, and one of the most gut-bustingly hilarious comedies of the last 40 years.

In the sequel, the fictional heavy metal group reunites after a two-decade separation for one final concert. Reiner returns as documentary filmmaker Marty DiBergi, who follows them on tour. Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer all return as the fictional metal band. The film will also feature cameos from Elton John, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood.

People tend to forget how Reiner was on one hell of a hot streak in the ’80s and ’90s. He had an eight-year run of classics: “This is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me,” “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “Misery,” and “A Few Good Men.”

Reiner’s output over the last 25 years has been terrible — unadorned mediocrity. What else would you call “LBJ,” “The Bucket List,” “Flipped,” “The Story of Us,” “Alex and Emma,” “Rumor Has It,” “And So It Goes,” “Being Charlie,” “Ghost of Mississippi,” “Shock and Awe,” and “The Magic of Belle Isle”?