Rating: 
Summary: Funny! Funny! Funny!
Review: This movie is really funny. A lot of folks think that you must be into Heavy Metal... to enjoy this film. They are sadly mistaken this movie is great. I have had many folks who are into Opera and Country music see this movie and they love it. One of the funniest movies of all time! The DVD is loaded with extras and holds it’s own against the now famous Criterion version. The video and audio transfer were well done considering the age of this movie.
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Summary: High-Larious!
Review: It's a classic and the hour+ of outtakes, and 2 commentary tracks help add to the depth of the movie, and some of the outtakes show that the real movie was only a SMALL portion of what was conceived for this brilliant piss-take of a film. Rarely have non-Brits been so good at being British! And all the rock and roll allusions. Fantastic. This is an older DVD and the new one has in-character commentary which could be good, but as for insight I think the out of character stuff is better. So classic that you should have bought it and watched it 5 years ago!
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant, improvised, mock-documentary parody
Review: INTRODUCTION: In 1982, an aging (40ish) English band is embarking on its 1st American tour in 6 years to promote a new album, "Smell the Glove," which is not quite ready for distribution due to management dispute over its lurid, sexist cover art. Spinal Tap has had its commercial and popularity ups-and-downs since the mid 1960s. Although supposedly one of England's loudest heavy-metal bands, their catalogue actually includes a wide range of musical styles. The 3 primary musicians include guitarist and lead vocalist David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), lead guitarist and auxillary vocalist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), and bass guitarist and background vocalist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer).David is a somewhat pompous, pseudo-intellectual who likes ruffles, velvet and satin stage attire and has a rather pushy, astrologically attuned girlfriend (Jeanine exerts a major cosmic influence on David's life and creates a wedge between him and childhood friend Nigel). Nigel is a confused chain-smoking, gum-chewing, accomplished guitarist with strong juvenile tendencies, a love of kilts, and a knack for inane invention. Derek prefers a studs-and-leather stage presence but is perhaps the most intelligent of the lot and assumes the role of realist and peacemaker. Filmmaker and fan Martin DiBergi (Rob Reiner) accompanies them on this tour to create a documentary of the experience, but Spinal Tap will later accuse Marty of making a "hatchet job" by portraying them in an unfavorable and unflattering light. Marty's film does tend to focus on the historic failings of the band, their apparent waning popularity, and the few(?) times on tour when they couldn't find the stage; had cancellations, production failures, embarrassments, and lapses in competence; bickered amongst themselves; acted like prima donnas; sported their herpes sores; and couldn't meaningfully or coherently answer his interview questions. The film is almost entirely improvised from a skeletal plan. The comedy is subtly and richly layered with humorous but realistic character portrayals, malapropisms, double entendres, and numerous sight gags. Reality is only slightly skewed, with no in-your-face gross-outs or over-acting to emphasize the obvious. These guys are not only brilliant improvisors, but they are also fine musicians capable of performing a serious-but-quirky, full-length concert (1993 "Return of Spinal Tap" concert/comedy video). They really have written and performed all the wonderful lyrics and arrangements by themselves. Classics like "Big Bottom," "Bitch School," and "Sex Farm." This film grows on you like an untreated fungus. Note that you probably will need multiple viewings (without interruption) to fully appreciate the humor and to become hooked, but you will love it more and get more out of it each time it is viewed. REVIEWER CONTEXT: 48-year-old female (a scientist and not in the entertainment or music business) who saw the movie for the first time (!) in October 2000 and who loves rock-and-roll (particularly the 1960s and 1970s "British Invasion" bands) but not raucous "heavy metal" sounds or outrageously gross personas. Comedy preferences include films such as the Monty Python features, the Pink Panther series, A Fish Called Wanda, Blame it on the Bellboy, The Birdcage, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, etc. THE PRODUCT(S): The new VHS tape (MGM Special Edition) adds 10 minutes of out-take footage, including the "Bitch School" music video. The new DVD (MGM Special Edition) includes an audio overlay for the film itself (ad-libbed, in-character commentary ("defense") by the 3 principle musicians), about 70 minutes of out-take footage (presented sequentially like the film), a DiBergi update, 4 music videos (excluding Bitch School), other promotional clips, film trailers, advertisements and interviews. It caused me to buy a DVD player. There is also a 1993 VHS "Return of Spinal Tap," which is a real London sell-out concert from July, 1992, interspersed (approximately every 3 songs) with comedy inserts and interviews; a 4.5 hour bootleg tape (presumably the original director's cut); 2 real CDs (1984 soundtrack and 1992's Break Like the Wind); a recent book (Spinal Tap Companion by Karl French) with transcripts, lyrics, and other delights; and older materials that are no longer available except through auctions. The out-of-print Criterion DVD from several years ago has a somewhat different selection of out-takes; audio commentary overlays from (1) McKean/Guest/Shearer as their real selves and (2) Reiner and the production crew; and the 20-minute demo tape originally made to try to obtain studio funding.
Rating:
Summary: Best DVD I own!
Review: This is such a great movie, and the DVD has great extras that make this well worth the money. The audio commentary by Spinal Tap (in character no less) is so funny, I was laughing throughout. This DVD also has music videos and outtakes that are also funny. Spinal Tap alone was a funny movie, the DVD with the added extras (particularly the audio commentary) make this a stellar movie. Also worth seeing are the other two mockumentaries by Christopher Guest (it's the six-fingered man!) and Eugene Levy: Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show.
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Summary: It's even recorded in Dobly!
Review: The question is, how much better could this DVD be? And the answer is none, none more better.
Rating:
Summary: Tear inducingly funny at times.
Review: Did you ever think that Spinal Tap was a real group? Then you were probably appalled at their appearances on the late shows! But if you were like me you became an instant fan once you knew the secret. So, is the Criterion DVD good? Yes! But don't go searching for the Break Like The Wind stuff because it ain't there. Several of the best videos were included on the 1992 VHS release. But they are missed in this DVD form. What IS included is great! A lot of outtakes-some funny, some not. Although several bits I feel could've stayed in, you'll agree that they used the best stuff for the final film. It's interesting to note that most drug references and all the nudity was clipped from the film. Also, the actress from the movie "Just One Of The Guys" was clipped. The new lead guitar player was a very interesting idea. Perhaps that should've stayed in. Other material: commercials, promotional materials, complete videos, interviews (such as the Flower People press conference), and more. Plan to spend almost 3 and a half hours on this DVD. It's great fun! The DVD interface is one of my favorites; with new stuff recorded just for the DVD presentation. So put this in your machine, crank it up (the sound quality is pretty good) and put Spinal Tap on BEFORE the puppet show!
Rating:
Summary: What can you say about the Tap?
Review: The classic among classics, this movie will have you rolling. It's the only movie that will leave your sides hurting without ever telling a joke. Michael McKean and Christopher Guest play the leads with comedic brilliance, you never ever get the sense that they are acting at all. The whole film is a truly unique comedy experience.
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Summary: We gonna do stonehenge tommorrow night?
Review: Rob Reiner's This is Spinal Tap is one of the funniest movies of all time period. Let alone funniest movie about Rock and Roll. This is the perfect send-up of big stadium rock bands from the seventies and eighties. From the gigantic skull prop to the double neck bass, this movie captures everything that is humorous about heavy metal bands on tour. Most of the humor is subtle though, so this might not appeal to a Chris Farley or Adam Sandler fan. But for many, this film will have you rolling in the aisles. The DVD version is especially worth the value. Besides the classic feature, you get over and hour of outtakes that makes up an alternate movie almost as funny as the original. There's also a bunch of other add on's and special features like music videos, commentary, and trailers. Buy it!
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Summary: A Whole New Experience.
Review: I've worn out my Spinal Tap video. It has always been my laughter security blanket. I recently went DVD and this was one of the first ones I got. The outtakes/deleted scenes (which I had only read about) add so much more to what was already a great film. I laughed 'til I had tears. But I laughed most while listening to the running commentary by David, Nigel and Derek both at the beginning of the disc (discussing how black the screen was) and during the movie (commenting on who they though was dead, now...how Marty's beard was fake....on Ian being...Ian, and the dreaded Janine...etc.) I think this film on DVD is an example of why the format is so wonderful. Just great.
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Summary: Iron Sabbath?
Review: Well i just can say one thing! That is not a movie it is a documentary of the British Rock legend Spinal Tap. If you consider it as a movie it is not funny at all, but if you look at it as a rockumentary than it is the funniest thing i ve ever seen. It is full of satire of distinct metal bands such as Iron Maiden (I think it is the biggest influence for Tap) , Black Sabbath , Dio , Rolling Stones ... It is a must see for a rock or metal fan...
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