Spice World

Right now you can watch Spice World on streaming — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 5/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Mel B is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Spice World earns its spot. Spice World gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. World famous pop group the Spice Girls zip around London in their luxurious double decker tour bus having various adventures and performing for their fans. Mel B and Emma Bunton lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1997. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Spice World holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Spice World is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Mel B is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.