This Is Spinal Tap Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "This Is Spinal Tap" brings the mockumentary to life in a 1080p MPEG-4/AVC transfer that manages to capture the essence of its original 16mm film shooting, despite inherent limitations. The video quality perfectly encapsulates the intended documentary feel, complete with a graininess that is particularly noticeable in darker scenes and during on-stage performances. The black levels show a significant improvement, adding depth to the visuals, while the colors maintain a natural look, albeit muted to match the film's aesthetic. Whites and flesh tones are faithfully reproduced, with the transfer preserving the film's raw and unpolished charm. Although noise and artifacts are present, alongside occasional softness and halo effects around bright objects, these do not detract significantly from the viewing experience.

Resolution remains consistent throughout, avoiding the pitfalls of digital manipulation to ensure an authentic representation of the source material. While the presentation won't dazzle with high-definition sharpness or vibrant colors, it retains a level of detail that is impressive given the film's age and original filming quality. Blacks and shadow details are competent, contributing positively to the overall murky and gritty atmosphere that the film embodies. Grain and noise are noticeable but not overly intrusive, highlighting rather than hindering the film's documentary style.

Notably, this Blu-ray edition represents the best version of "This Is Spinal Tap" to date for home viewing. While acknowledging its shortcomings—such as persistent grain, soft imagery at times, and occasional color imbalances—the transfer impressively balances the good with the bad. Deep black levels enhance the concert scenes, flesh tones remain natural across various lighting conditions, and when colors do appear, they are both bright and well-defined. Despite its visual imperfections by modern standards, this transfer successfully honors the film's original vision and aesthetic, making it an admirable upgrade from previous home video releases.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "This Is Spinal Tap" sets a new standard for home audio experiences, particularly when it comes to the powerful clarity of its lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack. The heavy rock tracks, including classics like "Listen to the Flower People," thrive with a vibrant, deep bass that ensures Nigel’s mandolin, the violin on guitar, and piano pieces are a joy to hear without any distortion, even at the highest volumes. The mix excels not only in delivering the music with clarity and depth but also in the precise rendering of dialogue, where every word is steady and precise, ensuring that nothing is lost. The dynamic range is remarkable, handling everything from the subtle nuances of the instruments to the full-throated roar of concert sequences with an effortless grace that makes this a reference-quality audio experience.

The technical prowess of this audio mix extends into how it utilizes the surround sound platform, offering a lively and immersive experience that genuinely elevates the concert sequences. The directional spacing and acoustic presence feel wide and engaging, with excellent rear channel immersion that brings ambient sounds and spatial dimensions vividly to life. Notably, the non-concert scenes maintain this high quality, with clear and intelligible dialogue that keeps the viewer completely engaged. The low-frequency effects add a tactile response that is neither bloated nor slow, ensuring that every drum roll, guitar riff, and keyboard note resonates crisply throughout the room.

This remaster represents not just an upgrade but a transformation of the viewing experience, particularly in how it handles sound. From the thunderous applause of a crowd to the subtle atmospheric effects during interviews, the audio mix respects the original's intention while offering a depth and clarity that could only be dreamt of at the time of its initial release. The marriage of these elements creates an audio presentation that is as musically satisfying as it is technically impressive, ensuring that fans and audiophiles alike will find something to adore in this Blu-ray edition.

The special features of the "This Is Spinal Tap" Blu-ray deliver an eclectic mix crucial for both new and seasoned fans, adeptly blending humor, nostalgia, and additional content that enriches the original film. The commentary track, a standout, offers the band members reflecting in character, turning it into a delightful pseudo-sequel to their storied careers. Catching up with Marti DiBergi presents a nostalgic yet comedic look back from the director's perspective, filled with candid insights and regret. The Rare Outtakes section is an exhaustive goldmine for fans, essentially offering an alternate version of the film. Vintage material and music videos offer glimpses into the band's fictional past, while the Promotional Materials and Commercials bring contemporary laughs with their tongue-in-cheek marketing. Notably, the inclusion of the 'Stonehenge' performance and a National Geographic interview with Nigel Tufnel regarding Stonehenge adds unique real-world tie-ins. However, it's disappointing that these new extras are relegated to standard definition on a bonus DVD. While these features maintain the film's humor and expand its universe, the lack of HD upgrades for all content is a missed opportunity.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel & Derek Smalls: In-character commentary providing new laughs and insights.
• Catching up with Marti DiBergi: A brief but nostalgic and candid interview with behind-the-scenes footage.
• Rare Outtakes: An extensive collection of deleted scenes, offering an alternative take on the film.
• Vintage Tap Materials: Early appearances and interviews of the band, highlighting their fictional history.
• Music Videos: Four music videos from different eras of the band's career.
• Promotional Materials: Includes Heavy Metal Memories CD advertisement and Cheese Rolling Commercial, along with three TV Spots.
• Commercials: Three short commercials featuring Spinal Tap endorsing products.
• 'Stonehenge' Performance at 2007 Live Earth Concert: A live performance of their iconic song, this time with a larger prop.
• National Geographic Stonehenge Interview with Nigel Tufnel: Nigel's unique take on the historical Stonehenge.

Rob Reiner's "This Is Spinal Tap" offers a genius mockery of the rock 'n' roll world, exquisitely encapsulated in the Blu-ray presentation of this seminal mockumentary. At its core, the film is a timeless expedition into the trials and tribulations of Spinal Tap, a fictional British rock band, portrayed with such acumen and depth by Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer that it transcends mere parody to become an eerily authentic account of fame, folly, and the fallacies of the music industry. The Blu-ray quality does justice to the film's cinematography, preserving the gritty, spontaneous feel of a genuine documentary from the 1980s, complete with candid interviews, mesmerizing concert footage, and an array of ridiculous yet somehow plausible band calamities.

The narrative's strength lies in its careful blend of absurdity and reality, chiefly through the hilarious mishaps befalling the band—from the infamous Stonehenge stage prop debacle to consistently getting lost backstage—a satirical yet affectionate critique of the era's rock extravaganzas. The attention to detail is meticulous; every scene resonates with a comedic yet tragically common sense of artistic misjudgment and industry misunderstandings. Moreover, this Blu-ray edition captures the essence of Spinal Tap's journey, acid-washed and cranked up to eleven, allowing audiences new and old to revel in its mastery of mockumentary filmmaking and its clever commentary on celebrity culture and musical hubris.

Despite its specific skewering of a bygone musical era, "This Is Spinal Tap" remains strikingly relevant, thanks in part to its sharp wit, superb performances, and the timeless nature of its humor. The thematic exploration of artistic integrity versus commercial success is as pertinent today as it was upon the film's original release. The Blu-ray presentation underscores this with an impeccable transfer that enhances both the visual and auditory experience, ensuring that this iconic piece of cinema retains its rightful place in the pantheon of both comedy and critical commentary on the entertainment industry.

The Blu-ray release of "This Is Spinal Tap" marks a glorious resurgence for what is arguably one of the most humorous and timeless mockumentaries ever made. In a presentation that caters to both die-hard fans and newcomers alike, this edition boasts a multitude of enhancements that breathe new life into the cult classic. The video quality receives a discernible upgrade to 1080p, showcasing a more vibrant and detailed image that pays homage to the film’s original allure. Coupled with an awe-inspiring lossless audio track, the experience of Spinal Tap’s comedic genius and satirical portrayal of the rock and roll lifestyle is more immersive than ever. Notably, the inclusion of a comprehensive array of extras, despite not being in high-definition, adds significant value, allowing deeper insight into the film’s creation and legacy.

The technical specifications of the Blu-ray edition are an audiophile and cinephile’s dream. From the meticulously calibrated JVC DLA-RS20 1080p High Definition Front Projector to the precision of the Carada Precision Brilliant White 96 Screen and the robust support of high-quality audio/visual equipment including Oppo and Denon devices, every aspect is designed to ensure an unparalleled viewing experience. This dedication to quality showcases the film in its best light, supported by a robust set of speakers and amplifiers that articulate the film's iconic soundtrack and dialogue with clarity and depth.

In conclusion, while there are minor drawbacks such as some technical video issues and the bonus materials not being presented in high-definition, the Blu-ray release of "This Is Spinal Tap" is an essential addition to any collection. Its upgrade in audio-visual quality, alongside a treasure trove of special features, ensures that the legacy of Spinal Tap continues to echo through the annals of comedic cinema. The promise of a Region B release with even more extras may urge fans to double-dip, but as it stands, this edition pumps up the volume to 11. Whether you’re discovering its magic for the first time or revisiting an old favorite, this release proves that Spinal Tap’s humor, critique, and cultural impact are as relevant and entertaining today as they ever were.