5 Reasons Why This Is Spinal Tap Is Still The Funniest Movie I’ve Ever Seen In My Entire Life

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frankly speaking, I’m not a big fan of comedies, but there’s an exception – “This Is Spinal Tap” is one I truly enjoy.

While I enjoy watching a variety of comedies, from romantic to stoner and even horror ones, I wouldn’t necessarily claim myself as an expert in this genre. One reason is that I tend to rewatch movies, but most comedies don’t maintain their appeal on multiple viewings for me. There are exceptions, like “Ghostbusters,” which I appreciate for more than just its humor, making it a good movie overall.

No matter how many times I’ve watched “This Is Spinal Tap” from 1984, I always find myself laughing. With a sequel on the horizon, I decided to watch it again, and just like the band, it still delivers the laughs. Here’s why this comedy is still the funniest movie I’ve ever seen in my lifetime.

The Mockumentary Style Was Perfected With This Film

To set the record straight, I must confess I was being somewhat playful earlier. However, when it comes to one particular genre of humor that I feel quite familiar with, it’s the mockumentary style. For those who may be unfamiliar, a mockumentary is produced as if it were a documentary, but it satirizes the medium and frequently does so in a deadpan manner. A notable characteristic (though not always present) is the single-camera approach, which became popular in shows like The Office, Modern Family, and Parks and Recreation, among others.

In these series, you’ll frequently encounter scenes where characters address the camera as if they’re being interviewed, with some of the funniest lines coming from these segments. I really enjoy shows with this kind of format, but the movie that masterfully pulled off this technique is “This Is Spinal Tap“. I believe its authenticity, achieved by the documentarian character played by the film’s director, Rob Reiner, is a significant factor in its success.

If you’ve never watched this movie before, the plot unfolds around “one of England’s most boisterous bands,” taking us through their journey that includes rise, fall, and resurrection over a span of 82 minutes. Reiner portrays Martin “Marty” Di Bergi, who documents the band during their 1982 American tour while attempting to promote their latest album, Smell the Glove, which features such controversial artwork that it must be concealed with black coverings.

The narrative largely centers around the three principal band members: David St. Hubbins (lead guitar), Nigel Tufnel (also lead guitar), and Derek Smalls (bass). These characters are portrayed by Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer, respectively. As a passionate fan of The Simpsons (now sharing my enthusiasm with my daughter), discovering that the voices behind Ned Flanders, Montgomery Burns, and Otto, among others, were also part of Spinal Tap’s bass section was one of my most exciting childhood moments. It all made sense considering Derek’s comical portrayal as the not-so-brilliant character who exaggerates his own attributes, particularly when it comes to his supposedly impressive endowment.

Eventually, each time I rewatch this movie, it leaves me in stitches due to its uncannily authentic feel – a characteristic that every excellent mockumentary ought to possess.

Every Character Has At Least One — If Not Several —Hilarious Lines Of Dialogue

In uncommon comic films, it’s seldom found that each character, not merely the main ones, delivers lines that consistently make me laugh out loud. Whether it’s just one or multiple times, these dialogues never fail to amuse me.

The humor in the movie might stem from its improvised scenes, suggesting many of the funniest jokes weren’t scripted initially. For instance, whether Martin and David’s joke about David being the “patron saint of quality footwear” was a prewritten dialogue or an impromptu remark is unclear. However, I often find myself repeating that line at least once or twice a year.

Previously mentioned, each character, such as the limo driver discussing Sammy Davis Jr., has a knack for making me chuckle. It’s almost as though every performer delivers a line that stands out, and even if it’s just a brief remark, it’s often the most entertaining part of the film.

One character I particularly enjoy in the band is their manager, Ian, who often gives off an impression that all is well, even during challenging times. A memorable moment of his involves him resigning and criticizing David’s girlfriend for dressing up as “a horrifying sight to any Aussie.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, let me tell you that one scene in particular had me rolling with laughter – a moment so hilarious it stands out among all the films I’ve ever watched. And trust me, I’m about to delve deeper into this cinematic gem.

The Album Reviews Scene Still Makes Me Cry With Laughter

The first time I watched this film was at a friend’s place, and it was our initial viewing together. When we reached the part with the album reviews, I found myself roaring with laughter so much that my friend needed to stop and replay the scene because he couldn’t hear over my giggles due to the noise.

The humor here is absolutely hilarious! A significant part of it can be attributed to Reiner’s delivery, especially when he says something like, “What day did the Lord create Spinal Tap, and couldn’t He have rested on that day too?” It’s his straightforward approach that makes me laugh until I cry.

It appears that McKean, who bears little resemblance to his Chuck McGill character from Better Call Saul, is also chuckling throughout the whole scene.

Actually, upon Martin seeing the brief critique of their album titled “Shark Sandwich”, labeled as “Shit Sandwich”, they all chuckle and remark, “Who put that in print?

Wow, buddy! My pal found himself needing to exclaim, “Quiet down!” as I continued to chuckle uncontrollably following that scene, yet I simply couldn’t resist. Honestly, I’m utterly smitten with this film.

The Ups And Downs Of The Band Are Even Funnier If You Know About Bands At The Time

Would you be interested in hearing about one of my favorite movies that blends rap and comedy? It’s the 1993 film “CB4,” often compared to “Spinal Tap” due to its satirical portrayal of the music industry. What makes it special is that, despite CB4 being a fictional group, much of the humor in the movie references real events and trends happening within the rap scene during that time. Similarly, “Spinal Tap” was quite reflective of the metal genre in the ’80s.

Although the movie appeared to predict events related to Black Sabbath’s Stonehenge incident before it happened, the way art mirrored reality suggests that the creators were in tune with current affairs when making the film, even though it was fictional.

Generally speaking, what gives this film the impression of emulating various bands is a multitude of small details. For instance, the frequent deaths of Spinal Tap’s drummers mirrors real-life incidents, such as the passing of drummers like John Bonham and Keith Moon from other bands.

Could it be that the girlfriend of the band’s lead singer is the one who disbands the group, similar to Yoko Ono (though this is often just speculation). Just like many bands, Spinal Tap eventually splits up and the remaining members opt for an avant-garde “jazz odyssey,” which is reflective of other groups being forced to alter their entire sound when a crucial member departs.

This film is hilarious overall, but it becomes even more amusing if you’re a fan of the rock music from that time period. However, what truly makes it the funniest movie I’ve ever seen is an additional element.

Lastly, The Commentary Track Is Like A Second Movie In Itself

Oh, how I miss commentary tracks!

In the past, when I frequently purchased DVDs, one feature that consistently caught my attention was the presence of a commentary track. This is because I enjoy gaining additional insights about movies I’ve recently watched from those who were part of their creation. Typically, you’d find individuals such as directors, actors, or screenwriters offering their perspectives. However, Spinal Tap stands out as an exception.

In this behind-the-scenes discussion, actors Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer portray their characters, expressing frustration that the movie missed the mark in several aspects.

I enjoy it when they begin to criticize Martin harshly, or when they claim events are fabricated and never truly occurred.

This sequel or follow-up feels just as hilarious, if not more so, than the original film itself. And here’s why: “This Is Spinal Tap” remains the funniest movie I’ve ever encountered.

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2025-07-20 23:09