T2 Trainspotting

I know Irvine Welsch wrote a sequel to "Trainspotting" in 2002, but I never expected to see a cinematic follow-up. Trainspotting has a certain quality that’s so immediate, so unique that recapturing that feeling isn’t something I suspect could be done. So no," T2 Trainspotting" is not as good as the first but did you, or anyone, expect it to be? The way I see it, this stylish, energetic, deliberately self-referential, nostalgic film is as good as it could ever get.

Set twenty years after Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) robbed his best friends and ran off to live a life free from heroin, things haven't really changed. Daniel “Spud” Murphy (Ewen Bremner) is still sweet, but without any clear objectives and Simon “Sick Boy” Williamson (Jonny Lee Miller) still cons and schemes his way through life. As Renton reconnects with his friends, his return to Edinburgh coincides with Francis “Franco” Begbie’s escape from prison Robert Carlyle returns to play Franco)

We’re going to be talking about "Trainspotting" a lot and I think it’s fair to do so. Unlike "Rings" or "Mad Max: Fury Road", which can serve as both sequels or new entry points, this picture is all about going back and remembering what happened beforehand. Renton and his friends have hit a point in their lives where they’ve realized that despite everything… they’ve not really amounted to much. That's what happens when you piss your youth away and don't even consider your future, your growth is stunted. This helps make the very idea of a new chapter in these peoples’ lives more edible. It isn't just a new story padded out with "The best of Trainspotting”, it's logical. Even so, it does feel contrived to find the gang back together after all these years. It's worth mentioning that following up a non-linear story with another one is somewhat awkward, but more than forgivable when you consider everything the film does right.

You can see that 20 years have passed, but you can't tell. The essence, the energy is still present in director Danny Boyle, screenplay writer John Hodge, and the actors. The dialogue, the camera work, the way these familiar people interact with each other, it's perfect. The music, the use of color, the way the shots are framed are nothing short of brilliant. If you’re a fan of the original, and you should be," T2" is a very nostalgic, warm, frequently hilarious, and tragic experience.

"T2 Trainspotting" feels somewhat more like an extended epilog than a sequel. That doesn't change how invested you'll be in the story or the characters (old and new) Even if you haven’t seen the original or you’re able to separate the appeal of seeing “what DID happen next? ” from this film, the expertise used to bring this story to life makes it a fun trip. (Theatrical version on the big screen, April 12, 2017)