Lazy Film Critic Movie Reviews
T2 Trainspotting
So last weekend I saw T2 Trainspotting, the long awaited sequel to the cult classic Danny Boyle film, and what a surprise it was actually really great. So great that at first I decided I needed a few days to mull over my thoughts to make sure I wasn't ignoring any problems to make it seem better in my head. To my surprise, by today (Thursday as of writing this, it might be later by the time I upload it because I'm bad with maintaining a schedule) I actually ended up liking it even more than when I first watched it.
This film features most of the actors from the first film returning in their roles, from big featuring characters to some smaller characters from the first film returning here. And they're all pretty great, it's interesting to see how much they've changed as actors over time and yet can still just slip into these roles and these characters, they still feel very authentic. Much like the first film, each of the four leads shine in their roles and steal every scene they're in.
What's also fascinating to see here is how much director Danny Boyle has grown and evolved as a director since Trainspotting. Although his unique visual style hasn't changed, it's clear here that his creativity and imagination with the limits of a camera and editing has only grown with time. And with the developments in technology in the 2 decades since Trainspotting, he has a lot more to work with here. There are some shots in this movie and some tricks with editing that just go to prove that Boyle is one of the best and most under appreciated directors in the entire industry.
What I loved so much about T2 Trainspotting is how it managed to strike that balance a lot of reboot/sequels have tried but never exactly hit the same way this movie does, which is a sense that it very much a different type of enjoyment to be had here while still having a lot of the same things that made the first film great, and it makes for a movie that feels refreshing and new while also maintaining a sense of reminiscence.
And in that sense of reminiscence that lives the heart of this movie, at it's core T2 Trainspotting is about remembering and getting over the past and facing the present. There are a lot of callbacks and references to the first film, and they can very from references to specific scenes to various arcs sprinkled throughout the movie. In a weird way, Johnny Lee Millers character feels more in the spotlight in this film than the films main character, which was an interesting turn for the story. His character feels like the one with the most regrets and nostalgia for his past, and it's an interesting character study watching the story play out for him.
Final Rating
First and foremost, the question at the centre here is: Is it as good as the original? No, of course it's not, it was never going to be. But on its own, its a great movie. It blends and ties into the original so much that it genuinely feels like a new experience while also feeling like a genuine continuation. It's a fascinating kind of sequel, as it authentically feels as though this film was a part of the plan from the very beginning. If you've seen the original, T2 Trainspotting is a must-see.
First and foremost, the question at the centre here is: Is it as good as the original? No, of course it's not, it was never going to be. But on its own, its a great movie. It blends and ties into the original so much that it genuinely feels like a new experience while also feeling like a genuine continuation. It's a fascinating kind of sequel, as it authentically feels as though this film was a part of the plan from the very beginning. If you've seen the original, T2 Trainspotting is a must-see.
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