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This Is Spinal Tap

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Hilarious, ribald, drug-filled rock send-up.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    While the band members are tragic failures, they do pursue their dreams. Nobody engages in anti-social or criminal behavior.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence :

    One cartoonish scene where a man smashes things with a cricket bat.
  • Sex :

    A lot of sexual innuendo, almost all songs lyrics are about sex.
  • Language:

    All major curse words used during conversations, mostly when people are angry.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Smoking, some casual drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About This Is Spinal Tap

Parents need to know that Spinal Tap is a fictional band, and this humorous "mocumentary" about them highlights their failure. There are moments when the language gets a bit heavy with curse words, but these are short and sporadic. Violence and sex are almost non-existent in this film, except for the songs, which tend to be heavy with sexual innuendo. Lots of references to drugs and alcohol. Lots of the humor will go right over younger kids' heads.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the difference between a documentary and a mockumentary. But the movie can jump start a great discussion about the role of marketing in the music business. How much of their success (or lack thereof) does Spinal Tap owe to marketing versus their own (clear lack of) talent? What is Rob Reiner trying to convey to the audience about the music industry? How does this movie's subject matter relate to the current pop music scene?
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See all 4 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    This movie showing the funny side of heavy metal is first class! You get to know Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls, and every drummer that has lived and died for Spinal Tap also including all of Nigel Tufnel's favorite guitars. The only bad thing about this movie is the 23 f words, but they are short and infrequent usually execpt for a scene where they try to record in a studio and it has alot of f words so you can skip it. But all in all a hilarious movie from first to last for all 12 and up!

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A Great spoof of the Rock-n-Roll Life. I highly reccommend it!

    Awesome movie! Most of the songs have sexual innuendo, but it is all stuff that you would only get if you are old enough to know about it. If you have a mature 13 year old its fine, but anyone younger probably shouldn't see this movie.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    I love these types of movies!

    The big problem in this movie is the language. There is a lot of cursing. However, if you are into music I recommend you see this. It is funny.

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