Film review: T2 – Trainspotting (18)

Returning to a cult film some 20 years after its success and delivering a sequel starring the much-loved characters is perhaps as tough as it gets (expectation-wise) in the world of film.

But that’s what acclaimed director Danny Boyle chose to do with Trainspotting, a film that is widely recognised as one of the more memorable films of the 1990s.

He keeps the timeline intact, meaning that when Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) decides to return to Edinburgh two decades after screwing over pals Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), Spud (Ewen Bremner) and Begbie (Robert Carlyle), not all are pleased to see him.

We discover that Renton took his £12k to Amsterdam and made a life for himself as an accountant, even getting married.

His return to Scotland – for his mum’s funeral no less – serves as a chance to right a few wrongs from the ‘good old days’ (and manifest his mid-life crisis). Sadly, he finds Spud suicidal and still hooked on heroin, while Sick Boy – who now goes by Simon – is busy exploiting people for hush money.

As for Begbie, he’s served 20 years inside – and has no prospect of parole. Naturally, the Scottish maniac cooks up a plan to get himself out by other means… and he’s fuelled by the fantasy of exacting revenge on Renton.

Without wishing to give too much away, T2’s plot is quite like a reunion with the friends you used to go out drinking with.

There’s plenty of reminiscing about the good old days and a fresh plan to get the gang back together again, with (a little) less emphasis on drugs this time around.

Renton is seduced into staying by Simon’s idea of converting his pub into a brothel, which would be run by his beautiful girlfriend Veronika (Anjela Nedyalkova).

But, with Begbie gunning for him and Simon something of a loose cannon, you wonder why he’d ever consider hanging around.

Having only watched the original 24 hours before the sequel, I can tell you that it follows on beautifully.

While the first film is pretty tragic in many ways, it captured the era perfectly and actually made you feel something for the morally-compromised characters you could see spiralling out of control.

All four of them have individual arcs that come together by the finale, which is superbly done. I found T2 to be quite inventive with its plot – and there are plenty of surprises along the way.

As well as the big four, Kelly Macdonald returns for a cameo as Diane, while James Cosmo and Shirley Henderson also reprise their roles too.

You wonder how first-time viewers will enjoy T2, however. If you didn’t grow up with or even see the original, the sense of nostalgia and the development of popular characters probably won’t hit with the same gusto.

But, rather than being – as Simon puts it – “a tourist in its own youth,” this second slice of Trainspotting does what every good sequel should do.

While never quite outshining the original, it respects its roots and gives us a reason to care about a group of friends.

Yes, the story may be driven by such skulduggery as drug addiction, prostitution, theft and violence. But T2 has a good heart, much like the character of Spud, who develops into the star of the show this time around.

Even Begbie, a despicable character at his core, is fleshed out in a way that you may feel sorry for him.

In short – and to pinch the popular Trainspotting line – you really should choose to watch this excellent sequel.

Voice Verdict: 9/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Honours the original well
+ Strong acting performances
+ Inventive story
+ Both funny and tragic

SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Feb 3 to Thurs, Feb 9)

**PITBULL: TOUGH WOMEN (18)
8.30pm (Mon)

**LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (U)
2D – 10am (Sat/Sun), 3pm (Sat/Sun)
3D – 1pm (Sat/Sun)

**RINGS (15)
6.30pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)

**RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER (15)
2D – 8.45pm (daily)
3D – 3.40pm (daily)

GOLD (15)
6pm (not Mon), 8.40pm (not Tues)

SING (U)
2D – 12.30pm (Sat/Sun), 6.10pm (daily)
3D – 10.30am (Sat/Sun), 3.40pm (daily)

SPLIT (15)
1pm (Wed), 8.40pm (not Mon/Wed)

T2: TRAINSPOTTING (18)
12.20pm (Wed), 3pm (Wed), 5.40pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)

LA LA LAND (12A)
Noon (Wed), 3.30pm (not Sun), 6pm (not Tues/Weds)

xXx 3: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE (12A)
2D – 12.30pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 3.30pm (Fri/Mon/Tues/Thurs)

LION (PG)
12.20pm (Sat/Sun), 3.20pm (not Sat/Sun)

MOANA (PG)
2D – 10am (Sat), 12.30pm (Sat), 11am (Sun)

KIDS’ CLUB
Sat/Sun 10.15am – Nine Lives (PG)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Lion (12A)
Subtitled Showing

Monday 6pm – Gold (15)

**FREE LIST SUSPENDED