In an early scene from “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” the blisteringly obtuse Nigel Tufnel asks his wife a question after he and his bandmates have reunited after many years: “I don't know whether this was a good idea or not.”

Fans may ask that very same question after an albeit mercifully short sequel hits theaters Friday from the mother of all rock mockumentaries, 1984's “This Is Spinal Tap.” Forget about going to 11. This one barely registers at 4.

Despite some great starry cameos — Paul McCartney's is easily the best — “Spinal Tap II” leans into the old favorite bits too needily and is suffocated by the constantly looming presence of death, a downer. The improv-based comedy is forced and the laughs barely register. This is a movie only for die-hard Tappers.

The structure is

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