This Is Spinal Tap - 8 stars out of 10

This Is Spinal Tap - 8 stars out of 10

Christopher Guest's comic genius is at it again in "This Is Spinal Tap," a mockumentary that makes light of every stereotype of the rock and roll industry.  The movie is non-stop laughter as these British bimbos go from epic rock stars to forgotten side-show act.  The amazing thing about this film is that the music is really good.  Several of their songs could be legitimate 80's heavy metal music, especially "Stonehenge," and their legitimacy gives the film a sense of authenticity.  Spinal Tap basks in absurdity, from their list of drummers that all died under mysterious circumstances (including spontaneous combustion and a bizarre gardening accident) to their amplifiers that go up to 11 instead of 10, and receiving second billing to a puppet show at an amusement park.  I love Guest's description of a classical piano composition that he wrote which is a hybrid between Mozart and Bach (a "Mach" piece), after which he reveals the name to be "Lick My Love Pump."  Perhaps no moment is better than when the tiny Stonehenge set pieces descend from the sky onto the stage.  The film is filled with unforgettable moments and the heavily improvised script keeps the story unpredictable.  The entire cast plays into the absurdity, including Michael McKean in the lead role, a cameo appearance by Billy Crystal as a mime, and a small part for a very young Fran Drescher.  Although I like "Best in Show" and "Waiting for Guffman" better, I still find this to be one of the finest mockumentaries out there.  The film is just crude enough to be funny but never resorts to shock value humor.  If you love rock 'n roll, comedies, absurd characters, mockumentaries, or improvisatory humor, you are sure to love "This Is Spinal Tap."