This Is Spinal Tap

This Is Spinal Tap is currently streaming in Australia on Stan, and in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel and YouTube TV, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 1,652 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Christopher Guest's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on Stan and see for yourself.

This Is Spinal Tap arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. This Is Spinal Tap gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. "This Is Spinal Tap" shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real. Christopher Guest and Michael McKean lead a cast with the timing to make it work. This Is Spinal Tap came out in 1984. The timing in This Is Spinal Tap is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in This Is Spinal Tap. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Christopher Guest is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.