Review of T2 Trainspotting (2017) by Anthony F — 05 Apr 2017

Either the end is nigh, or the stars are just right. Whatever the case, nostalgia seems to have no limits in this era. The latest impossible reunion involves everyone's favorite Scottish junkies. The same ones that tore through the mid-1990's on a wave of britpop and nihilism.

Renton, Sick-boy, Spud and Begbie have all returned after 20 years. So has Director Danny Boyle and screenwriter John Hodge, and the flick is all the better for it. It truly is a miracle how the 4 leads all slip effortlessly back into their roles too.

Ewan Mcgreggor and Johnny Lee Miller both add just the right touch of familiarity to their time-worn characters. Ewan Bremmer manages to make Spud just as hilarious as before, even with a hint of melancholy this time around.

Those hoping for this reunion to be a party might be a tad disappointed though. Make no mistake, this is a far different beast than its predecessor. Aging, innocence lost and (that magic word) nostalgia rule the day here.

At times, it's occasionally even thoughtful and heartfelt. And somehow...it works...and manages to still be fun and thrilling anyway. It has to be since the always terrific Robert Carlyle is back in prime psycho mode.

Begbie has had Renton on the mind all these years and the air positively crackles when these 2 former (ahem) business partners finally come face-to-face. For fans of the original, it's a must. T2: Trainspotting isn't the best sequel I've ever seen, but it might just be the most appropriate.