The Full Monty returns with a charming Disney comeback after a shaky start

The Full Monty: Robert Carlyle stars in Disney+ trailer

The Full Monty introduced the endearing gang of unemployed aspiring strippers back in 1997 and things haven’t changed much in the last 25 years.

Re-teaming the original film’s screenwriter Simon Beaufoy with the entire cast for a TV sequel on Disney+ admittedly sounds like a groan-inducing premise given recent embarrassing attempts to reinvigorate cult classics.

Indeed, much of the opening episode threatens to confirm those concerns as Gary ‘Gaz’ Schofield’s (played by Robert Carlyle) tenuous relationship with daughter Destiny (Talitha Wing) is set up through a ridiculous romp involving a stolen dog.

Laden with Britain’s Got Talent references and tired political correctness gags, The Full Monty reboot’s opening salvo is largely a chore peppered with fleeting moments of promise.

Thankfully, that promise starts to shine through much brighter with each subsequent episode as the tapestry of heartfelt stories of struggle and endurance starts to unfold.

Two and a half decades after the redundant steelworkers stunned a sold-out crowd with their Chippendale act, schemer Gaz is still on hard times while working as a mental health worker.

The mental health themes are smartly woven throughout the eight-part drama, which deftly explores how disparity in the North has led to more awareness of the increase in depression, anxiety and suicide.

Gaz’s former best friend Dave Horsefall (Mark Addy) is now working as a school caretaker, dissatisfied with his marriage to headmistress Jean (Lesley Sharp).

Jean is tackling the full brunt of economic decline on the frontlines as her school quite literally starts to fall apart around her, leading to some complex confrontations with her teacher friend Hetty (Sophie Stanton).

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Some of the comedy-drama’s most arresting moments will sneak up on viewers – Dave’s friendship with bullied student Twiglet (Aiden Cook) is especially affecting as a desperate attempt at surrogate fatherhood.

Unfortunately, the script isn’t quite sharp enough to take The Fully Monty’s admirable aspirations to the next level.

Genuine gags are few and far between and often feel too broad and easy to mesh with the more serious themes at hand.

That being said, the cast has more than enough enthusiasm to motivate the drama and each episode comes equipped with threads, twists and cliffhangers to keep subscribers hooked.

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Also returning, Paul Barber exudes pathos as impoverished retiree Horse with a quietly devastating B-plot to collect his benefits through reels of relentless red tape.

Plus, café crew Lomper (Steve Huison), Gerald (Tom Wilkinson) and newcomer Dennis (Paul Clayton) provide some hit-or-miss laughs.

Most importantly, Carlyle effortlessly slips back into Gaz’s cheeky charm, while Addy’s bristly Dave takes some warming to before he becomes the undeniable heart of the series.

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The Full Monty is available on Disney+.

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