1996's Trainspotting gave audiences a new way to look at life, movies, and music. Edgy and groundbreaking, the film gave audiences a raw look at the drug scene in Edinburgh and the lengths addicts go to escape its pitfalls. The sequel centers on the four main characters, 20 years later. This time around, rather than focus on the group's drug pursuits, the emphasis is on rebuilding friendships, dealing with betrayal, and trying to figure out the meaning of life. With a less chaotic feel than the first film, T2 dives deeper into its characters and their world--and gives a compelling look at how both have changed in two decades.
Looking at the characters later in life doesn't mean the movie takes a more somber, responsible direction, however. The energy from the first film is present as Renton (Ewan McGregor) returns to Edinburgh after a 20 year departure and can't help but fall into old habits with Sick Boy (Johnny Lee Miller). While trying to pull off another get-rich-quick scheme, the two are reminded why they were best friends. They recruit Spud (Ewan Bremner) who is also dealing with picking up the pieces of a failed marriage. Meanwhile, the threat of Begbie (Robert Carlyle) looms in the background as his hunger for revenge puts everything at risk and adds tension once he discovers Renton has returned to Edinburgh.
Renton's return is sparked by the guilt he's felt over betraying his friends in the first film. Trying to make amends, we see him and the others question their own life choices along with their need to hang on to the past. It starts out feeling like the nostalgia is forced on the viewer, but you grow to appreciate it as the story continues, while the audience sees how the past impacts the present. This is carried out with flashes to their childhood and a clever use of scenes from the first that illustrate some of the parallels in the past and present.
Even though the movie heavily builds on the events from the past, it's still suitable for new viewers or those who haven’t watched the original in some time. Seeing what the characters have been up to over the last two decades at the very beginning makes the movie accessible to everyone. The actors seamlessly slide back into their roles, and a strong semblance of the familiar characters remains regardless of other breakout roles we may associate the actors with. While there’s the expectation that they’ve all completely matured as they've entered middle age, this isn't completely the case. They’re forced to figure out a way to support themselves and find their purpose--and this is part of the journey we witness as we catch up with them.
A big example of the maturation and passing of time is Renton's "choose life" monologue. The original speech brought up big life decisions and the fact that the character was more concerned with taking heroin than looking ahead. Twenty years later it returns and takes a different direction. Renton touches on things like our obsession with social media and reality TV. He also makes a point of shifting addiction toward something constructive and trying to choose a more positive future. This might be a little too tongue-in-cheek, but it's a powerful delivery.
While the characters may have gone through some drastic changes in their 20-year absence, one familiar element that embodied the original film is the use of music. This ties into the nostalgia factor when Renton revisits his childhood bedroom and struggles with playing Iggy Pop's "Lust For Life" on his record player. It's a symbolic moment as it further illustrates how he's wrestling with accepting actions from the past and his place in the present. Another song heavily associated with the first film, Underworld's "Born Slippy" is used. Unfortunately the inclusion feels a little more forced. Music is used throughout but isn't as impactful as the original soundtrack.
T2 may be a sequel, but it’s an entirely different, captivating film that makes you care about these characters. The first movie had a very in-your-face feel, with an abundance of visual energy. The sequel offers more substance by fleshing out the characters further. You get pulled into the story, and the actors' charm keeps you invested. T2 Trainspotting is a good tribute to the original by exploring new ground rather than rehash what we've already seen. It may not be as innovative as the first movie, but it’s a thrill to see the characters once again in a sequel worthy of the critically acclaimed original.
