Review of T2 Trainspotting (2017) by Marshall J — 30 Jun 2017

The first one had us see life through the eyes of a young and excited Mark Renton. And while the sequel stems off into a more ensemble format, it still gives us that same perspective, only for Renton as a depressed and unfulfilled forty-six year old. I don't mean that T2 isn't exciting, because it really is. But there's a looming dread right from the get-go, since both we and the character now know how dire the consequences at stake are.

T2 is a really good movie. I don't want to compare it too much to the original, because this is a much different film, but seeing where the characters are at this point in their life, and where they end up by the final scene is fantastic. It's funny and it's captivating, and it's exactly how a sequel should be done.

There's a lot of experimentation with camera work and perspective and inner thought throughout the movie, and the way it's executed is perfect. Danny Boyle has done this sort of thing more and more as his career has gone on, and this is his most experimental yet.

The film takes a little while to focus itself. The first thirty or forty minutes are spent catching us up since the first, and while it is entertaining there's a lack of conflict, and therefore a lack of tension. And because of how joyless all of the characters have found life to be, it's difficult to be amped about what's going on. That first while is still good, but the film doesn't get great until proper conflict is introduced.

I didn't see the first Trainspotting until a couple years ago, so I don't have the same kind of nostalgia many of the people going to see T2 might. But I still think this is a worthy sequel, and I'd have enjoyed it even if it were a stand alone piece.