For those who don't know, Trainspotting is one of my all time favourite British films. It deals with a very disgusting topic, drug addiction, and shows it in a light that was very refreshing but still taking it very seriously. The characters (despite the fact they're junkies) are likeable and funny, the humour is so black it makes the Coen brothers jealous and the soundtrack is amazing. Now that T2 Trainspotting is out after 20 years from the first film, is it good in comparison? Is it a good follow up to the first or just a cash in?
The Story - 9/10
The story starts off 20 years after the events of the first film and I'm not going to give away what happens to anyone who hasn't seen it. Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) has left Britain after angering his friends and has been living in Holland. After a health scare, he goes back to Scotland to see everyone he left behind. Meanwhile, Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller ) has been running a pub out in the middle of nowhere, Begbie (Robert Carlyle) has just escaped from prison and Spud (Ewen Bremner) is going in a downward spiral after losing his wife and son. The film takes the perfect amount of time as it needs to introduce us back to the characters and what they grew into. But they still act the same way, Renton still has his smarts about him, Sick Boy is selling drugs and doing other get rich quick schemes (some of which are either shocking or downright hilarious), Begbie causes trouble with his anger and Spud's life just gets worse and worse. The focus of the film though is primarily on the relationship between Renton and Sick Boy, since they were best mates in the first film and what adventures they go on to make more and more money. But this is unfortunately a drawback to the film because while all of this is going on, there are two more plot points that are going on at the same time. So you need to have full concentration while watching this film, fan of the first or otherwise (though if it was otherwise, why didn't you watch the first one?). Another one is that it seems like they wanted to take things from the first film and modernise it. For example, the cynical monologue that Renton had in the first film comes back, but it fits in today's society. This wasn't a bad thing, I was all for it (being the cynic I can be) but they did the same for the soundtrack. I could hear some of the songs from the first film but coming back as remixes. That just felt pointless and also could be infuriating for other fans. Coming back to the story, each storyline that happens in this film is entertaining and engaging to watch and comes to a good conclusion. One thing you will also notice is that the celluloid from the first film will play as characters watch the past unfold in-front of them.
The Characters - 10/10
If there is one thing that keeps people coming back to the first film, it is the characters. These people lived and live in a world that most of us are glad we are not a part of. But what keeps us engaged with it is these character's humanities and sense of humour. That's why this is a quite personal film series.
Ewan McGregor comes back as Mark Renton, the star of the first film. He plays Renton as if he had also changed in the 20 years of being away. He still keeps his wits about him constantly and comments on footballers and other things from the past. Danny Boyle (the director of the first film and this one) recently said in an interview "Film is about time and you can cut it, freeze it, compress it and change it." If thats the case then Renton embodies the past of time in this film (also with Sick Boy). We also worry for Renton since he angered his group of friends greatly and until we see it happen, we are always thinking what is going to happen to him.
Jonny Lee Miller comes back as Sick Boy. In the 20 years, he has started owning a pub, having a girlfriend he acquired from a brothel and doing some business in blackmail and drug dealing (which also include his girlfriend's participation). Now this would be detested if it was any other character from a film. The thing that separates them is that Sick Boy has a sense of humour and humanity that we get to see explored in the film and we grow to like him (We already did in the first movie but more here).
Robert Carlyle returns as the easily enraged Begbie. He has been serving 20 years jail time and has not changed a bit. He is practically the only one in the group that never took any drugs and is the only character that we don't necessarily love but we love to hate him. We also find the most laughs out of the antics and violence he inflicts onto others. Since these films are about addiction, Begbie's addiction is violence and causing pain to others. But we are terrified of this maniac and he shows immense hated for what Renton did to the group. But what keeps us from totally being scared of him is the fact that he does some of the best jokes and antics in the film and has a sense of charisma.
Ewen Bremner comes back as Spud and he is possibly the most tragic character in the film and the one I felt the most sorry for. We first meet him in his apartment and we see just how far he has fallen and we feel confused since he had a way to turn his life around at the end of the last film. But he says it himself, he was a junkie and could only go one way. He is a tragic character in general and was always the butt of everyone's joke and got the worst from life. He shows the more life ruining aspects of heroin addiction and what it does to those that you may know around you.
The Drama/Comedy - 10/10
The drama in the film mostly comes out of the interaction and consequences from the characters. When they try and do blackmail to rich clientele or when they see each other after 20 years and let out their joy or anger out on each other. The most emotional and dramatic scene for me was when Renton finds Spud and saves him. He first gets his breath back and is angry at Renton for helping him. This is challenges our perception of how Spud would have reacted to seeing his friend who tried to help him in the end.
The comedy in this movie is (dare I say it) funnier than the first film. Because it takes a dark approach like the first but does more with it. Like for example, one get rich quick scheme involves Renton and Sick Boy going to an Orange Order club and stealing money, but they can't leave until singing a song, which ends up being very offensive and funny. There are moments like that all over the film and are done with perfect comedic timing and scenarios.
Conclusion
This would have been an easy cash grab to one of the most game changing British films ever. To have to compete with what the original film pioneered, it would be impossible. Not for Danny Boyle. Trainspotting couldn't have gotten a better sequel than this, it does new things with the plot and characters, has more comedy than the first and it all fits perfectly together. The camera angles, the editing, lighting and direction all work perfectly. If you love the first film, then this is a must watch.
I am giving this a 10/10
I do not own any of these pictures. T2 Trainspotting is owned by Film4, Creative Scotland, Cloud Eight Films, DNA Films, Decibel Films, Tri Star Pictures and Sony Pictures.
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