Search - Trainspotting on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Not For Children, Profanity, Substance Abuse, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1996 DVD Release: 03/25/1998 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 58 mins Studio: Walt Disney Video Members Wishing: 35 Genres: Comedy Drama, Buddy Film, Addiction Drama, Urban Drama See Also: Trainspotting [Collector's Edition], Trainspotting, Trainspotting

Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor), a young man with few prospects and fewer ambitions, lives in economically depressed Edinburgh. Like most of his friends, Renton is a heroin addict who loves the drug's blissful nothingness; financing his habit also provides excitement and challenges that his life otherwise lacks. Renton's two best friends are also junkies: Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), a snappy dresser obsessed with James Bond, and Spud (Ewan Bremner), a guileless nerd who suggests Pee Wee Herman's debauched cousin. Renton and his pals also hang out with Begbie (Robert Carlyle), a borderline psychotic who loathes junkies even though he drinks like a fish. After one too many brushes with the law, Renton kicks heroin and moves to London, where he finds a job, a flat, and something close to peace of mind. However, Sick Boy, Begbie, and Spud all arrive at his doorstep on the trail of a big score, leading Renton back into drugs and crime. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Ewan McGregor - Mark Renton
Ewen Bremner - Spud
Jonny Lee Miller - Sick Boy
Kevin McKidd - Tommy
Robert Carlyle - Francis Begbie
Kelly MacDonald - Diane

Director Danny Boyle's throbbing punk-spirited film explodes from the first frame as a heady mix of brilliant camera work, witty dialogue, and excellent soundtrack choices. On DVD, quick-moving montage never slows down technically or thematically. The DVD displays the extreme, hyperkinetic colors of the film in superior fashion, and the gritty transfer suits the film perfectly. While not the cleanest DVD presentation, it is highly appropriate in presenting the drugged, confused lives of Renton, Begbie, and friends. The audio had to immediately smack of visceral clarity to get through the sometimes difficult accents of a few of the characters, and it meets the challenge (though anglophobes may want to turn on the closed captioning). The CD-quality soundtrack, with songs by Underworld, New Order, Primal Scream, and others, adds infinite coolness to the proceedings. The entire audio production is excellent, particularly Ewan McGregor's narration. The only special feature to be found is the "Chapter Selection" menu, which allows instant access to all 25 chapters via still images and captions. Trainspotting is a fun film with a spot-on soundtrack particularly suited to DVD. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Movie Guide