Legendary rockers Spinal Tap embark on their difficult second movie for a difficult second time (following 1994‘s largely forgotten The Return of Spinal Tap). After the unexpected success of the first documentary, Tap went from strength to strength, until a rift developed which brought their touring days to an end. Fifteen years on they are drawn together by the gravity of contractual obligation, and must set aside their differences for one final gig.

Capturing the magic of the 1984 cult classic is not an easy challenge, particularly as Tap’s subsequent success in real life can’t help but influence their fictional story. No longer the hapless underdogs of the first film, they’re joined by rock legends Paul McCartney and Elton John, in a film which is less farce more tour du force.

With David (Michael McKean) living in California, Nigel (5th Baron Haden-Guest) running a guitar and cheese shop, and Derek (Harry Shearer) working as a glue connoisseur, the trio are almost studious in their refusal of personal growth, with the exception of Derek Smalls who seems to have become American. There is genuine dramatic potential in their split and reunion, but the payoff is weak and the film’s finale feels rushed.

Given the quotable nature of the first film it could have been easy to rely on in-jokes and callbacks, but these are used sensibly and sparingly. We get fleeting but welcome reprisals from Artie Fufkin (Paul Shaffer) and Bobbi Flekman (Fran Drescher), and memorable additions including the band’s latest drummer Didi Crockett (Valerie Franco), Hope Faith (Kerri Godliman), the daughter of previous manager Ian, and Chris Addison’s shallow music exec who literally can’t identify music.

Of course it’s not the spectacular take-down of pompous rock musicians that was its predecessor, rather a victory lap for a beloved institution. And while it doesn’t ooze with quotable lines, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, which make this a must-watch whether you know every word to Stonehenge, or just the bit with the amp that goes up to eleven.