Rating: 
Summary: Flawless
Review: The Special Edition release of This is Spinal Tap packs a lot of extras--really too many to describe in a review. We know we're in the right place when we hear the band commenting on the menu as the disk loads (predictably, it's hilarious). In addition to a pristine (almost too slick for what's supposed to be a low-budget documentary), anamorphic transfer of the film with quite good sound, we're treated to:Audio commentary by Spinal Tap (I haven't sampled this yet), Six TV commercials, Two TV "appearances" including a Flower People Press Conference and an interview with Joe Franklin, Over an hour's worth of outtakes that are almost a film in themselves. While it's all unessential (helping us to appreciate just how well edited this film is), much of it is priceless. This footage is full-screen and looks appropriately cheesy, Catching Up with Marty DiBergi--an interview with the embittered director, Music videos, commercials, and "Promotional Materials" that include trailers, TV spots, and the like. Everything is, of course, played excruciatingly straight. In addition, MGM really did it right (unlike, say, Universal, who lately always do it wrong); there are chapters for every feature so one can easily navigate, and there's no annoying self-promoting of other MGM titles. There's not one thing wrong with this release, including the price, and it's in a nice keep case rather than a crummy cardboard snap case, too. If you agree with me, drop MGM a line to let them know they're on the right track. Highest recommendation for a job well done.
BTW, are there REALLY viewers who think this is an actual documentary?!
Rating: 
Summary: Dead-Pan Humor and Criticism of Rock Culture At Its Finest
Review: _This is Spinal Tap_ is a very funny, very original comedy that centers on the idea of a fake "rockumentary" of a fading British heavy-metal group. Rob Reiner does a superb job and the film actually feels like a documentary instead of a bunch of sequences designed to entertain. This movie will particularly appeal to musicians (or those that know and love them), though everyone will enjoy the comedy of this waning band being booked second to a puppet show and doing an act with a Stonehenge set, only to have a miniature Stonehenge descend on stage. Whether it's Nigel explaining to us that his amps go to 11 or, my personal favorite part, when he starts to solo during a show, using a violin to play his guitar, only to stop and retune the violin, this movie will make you laugh time and time again. A must see for all fans of comedy delivered with a serious bent and dead-pan splendor.
Rating:
Summary: but this one goes to 11
Review: What can ya say about Spinal Tap? You either love the movie, or hate it! Theres no in between's. This Rock or should i say MockUmentry is the funniest one out there. And now that its on DVD in this special edition, you are defintly getting your moneys worth! I was able to get this cheap for $20 Australian, and it was one of the first DVD's i bought, and it was one I have never regreted! The sound quality is excellent, altho i do remember the guitar beeing a bit fatter in sound on the VHS but it dosent matter. These guys really know how to make this kind of comedy work. They dont try to go for gag after gag and joke after joke, they succeed well with what they do because it's more on the serios side then on the comedy side, and if you wernt aware you where watchign a comedy and knew it was all a gag then you might take the film serios as i know alot of people have! But they just dont understand the brilliant humour of Spinal Tap, and the very clever way it has been presented to make you laugh. The bonus features are great, there is 2 discs packed full of extra goodies, video clips, interveiws, telivision appearences.... i dont know if the world version comes with them or not? but the Australian one does come with a few commercials that Tap did back in the early 90's for a food product that where called "Rock 'n rolls" which where horrible pizza bun things that never lasted, but the commercials where funny enough to watch again on the DVD! The only thing I wish about this DVD was that they added the interveiw they did on an Australian talk show called "Tonight live with Steve Vizard" and there appearence on "The Simpsons" but even tho they arnt included, the DVD is still great value for money! Also dont forget to check out "The Return Of Spinal Tap" if you wanna watch more a live show, then the acting....and "A Mighty Wind" which is along the same lines as how TIST was shown, but about folk music, but trust me, its a good film! Dont let the folk music thing make you think other wise!
Rating:
Summary: Comedy Classic!
Review: "This is Spinal Tap" is one of the most original, subtle, hilarious movies you will ever see, and offers more great quotes than any film this side of "Fletch." A "mockumentary," "Tap" is pure fiction. But it's fiction that captures some universal truths about the relentless pursuit of a dream, even while the rest of the world is screaming at you to wake up. Marty DeBergi (Rob Reiner) is "producing" this documentary about Spinal Tap, "one of Europe's loudest bands." We see Reiner travel with the band on tour to promote its newest album, "Smell the Glove," and he gets to interview the band at great length -- in no small part because most of their gigs appear to be canceled. The music, written and performed by actors Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins on lead vocals and guitar), Christopher Guest (lead guitar Nigel Tufnel), and Harry Shearer (bassist Derek Smalls) is a hilarous reprise of various genres of rock and roll, heavy on the power-rock of the '70s ("Sex Farm," "Stonehenge," "Big Bottom"), with a little psychedelic feel-good rock in there too ("Listen to the Flower People"). One of the best soundtracks ever, these songs skewer the performers as well as those you who were fans of this kind of music when it was big. The album is released, the tour kicks off, and the wheels begin to fall off. Many scenes are legendary. "Hello Cleveland!" -- when the band can't find the stage. "But these go to eleven" -- Nigel explains why his amplifiers have more power than the next guys. "It's okay, Boston's not a big college town" -- when the band learns their next gig was canceled. "It's a fine line between stupid and clever" -- debating artistic choices made by the band. "Puppet show and Spinal Tap" -- the sign announcing the band's next gig. "Spinal Tap, currently residing in our 'Where are they now?' file" -- while the band (on tour) listens to the radio play one of their old songs. And so on and so forth. If you have the good fortune of knowing a professional musician, ask them about "Tap." Odds are, without saying any more, you're going to see a wide smile and start getting the quotes. The filmmakers' understanding of (and affection for) life on the road in the music business is eerie. A comedy essential that must be part of any DVD collection. The DVD is full of extras, including some hilarious dialogue from the band over the opening menu!
Rating:
Summary: Huh?!
Review: The guy writing reviews under the name Leonard Snerdley is joking, right? He is sitting at home laughing at all the people who take his reviews seriously....right? Spinal Tap is totally fictitious. They were invented solely for the purpose of this movie, which may not be one of the milestones of motion picture, but principal actors Harry Shearer (AKA Mr Burns), Michael McKean, and Christopher Guest are certainly very talented comedians, and even play their own instruments.
The story is completely absurd, mocking the excesses of bands like Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, and numerous lesser gods. It's pretty funny, too.
Rating: 
Summary: Could have been better
Review: I have followed Spinal Tap very sporadically over the years, mostly since their buzz after the release of this film (I honestly remember hearing very little about them during the seventies). After viewing this documentary, I believe the filmmaker could have done better both in his editing choices and his choice of bands. While Spinal Tap is capable of turning out the occasional catchy tune, it's obvious watching this film that they were/are basically one-trick ponies. Whether that's the fault of the editor, I can't say. I will say that viewing this film made me only want the hits (collected on the film's soundtrack) and it did not give me the desire to seek out their earlier work ("Shark Sandwich" and "Intravenous De Milo", both of which seem to be out of print anyway). I guess my real complaint is with the filmmakers, as I'm wondering why they chose to cover such a little-known group when there were perfectly acceptable alternatives: Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Eddie Money, and/or Motorhead. Spinal Tap may have been an interesting story, but they're hardly a band worth making immortal through film.
Rating: 
Summary: an interesting film, but not my favorite
Review: This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film. Since I am not a fan of rock music, I am not too familiar with this film. Having watched it, seemed to give me a sense of the 'rockumentary' idea of it. The film itself is not really a documentary since it is a work of fiction. It seems to be somewhat of a comedy, but i did not find it as funny as most comedies I have seen. The Criterion edition is LOADED with special features and is well worth the money for any fan of the movie. ... a great collector's item also.
The movie itself was not very comprehensible to me so I find it difficult to do a complete review.
Rating:
Summary: Eleven Stars
Review: Twenty years after its release, This Is Spinal Tap is still in the running for the funniest film ever made. This astonishingly clever mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner chronicles the "First Farewell Tour" of an aging British paleo-rock band. Featuring brilliant ad-lib performances by Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer and dozens of memorable minor characters, Spinal Tap launched an entire subgenre of sophisticated satire (think the "Simpsons" or "Best in Show"), but has never been surpassed. The score offers such gems as "Big Bottom", "Sex Farm," "Hellhole" and of course "Listen to the Flower People". This band that never was--but somehow had to be--has continued to "fill a much-needed void" long after the real hair metal bands were forgotten. Essential.
Rating:
Summary: THE BLACK REVIEW..........
Review: I really like this movie. This movie is truely the funniest movie about rock music. Plus the only one(I think),but this movie is just plain hilarious. At first I saw like the cover, whats it about and stuff I was like ehhhhh.....but once I actually watched it, I couldn't stop laughing. I think the thing with this movie is people kinda get confused like I did. They are a real band, but their all really 3 commedians so none of that stuff really happend. Like they play together but none of that stuff really happend. So dont think 10 drummers died in their band and stuff. I mean expolding on stage, I was like F*** that really happend...but then I found out it didnt so, its cool. When this movie came out I guest people really thought that too. The special feattures are really cool too. The commentary is freakin hilarious.... Seriously dude you need to watch this flick, it kicks ass!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: 2 thumbs down
Review: Simply one of the worst movies ever.
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