One of the better films of the 1990s finally gets a sequel as Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) and the boys swing back into action.
After being gone two decades following the heist after which he skipped town with all of the money, screwing over his gang mates, Mark finally returns home—and the circumstances are grim. Best friend Simon (Jonny Lee Miller) remains pissed; Spud (Ewen Bremner) is an absolute suicidal mess; and Begbie (Robert Carlyle) is fresh out of prison—after an escape—and looking for some payback.
Director Danny Boyle also returns, and he’s put together a film that, while not nearly as good as the original, is a sequel worthy of the original. It’s fun to see these characters again, and interesting to see where the years have taken them. (Basically, not very far.)
Heroin addiction, a big part of the original, is more of an afterthought in this one, although Spud’s ongoing addiction is dealt with, and two of the main characters relapse for at least one scene. The movie deals mostly with Mark’s efforts to repair friendships, and Begbie’s still-psychopathic behavior.
In America, this film barely played cinemas, although it did have success overseas.
Special Features: You get a commentary from Danny Boyle and a sitdown Q&A with Boyle and the cast.