Paul Magne Haakonsen This movie was actually something that caught me by surprise, as I didn't know about it prior to finding it by sheer luck.The first "Trainspotting" movie was definitely unique, so I had high hopes for the sequel.However, it was slower paced and had a much less interesting story in comparison to the first movie.They took way too long in between the two movies, so this sequel feels obsolete already and seems rather pointless."T2 Trainspotting" has some good acting from a nicely cast ensemble of actors, and it is nice to see the original actors return to reprise their characters. It was of course nice to see Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Ewen Bremner and so forth to perform here and brining more insanity to the screen. For me, it was a particular treat to see Robert Carlyle back, because his character was by far the most interesting in the first movie.Adequately entertaining for sure, but nothing outstanding here in this sequel.

The Movie Diorama Having only watch the original for the first time this year, it's safe to say I'm not part of the cult following. Having said that, I really enjoyed it for its bold and provocative portrayal of drug consumption. The characters were memorable, direction solid, hilarious moments...fortunately the sequel maintains that. Twenty years on after the betrayal in the first film, Renton returns back to Edinburgh where Sick Boy, Spud and a revenge driven Begbie wait for him. Wanting to start a business, replenish lost friendships and relive the past. Trainspotting 2 really does depend on nostalgic flashbacks, that is both a positive and a criticism. To start with though, Danny Boyle yet again directs an entertaining flick. A big fan of his directing, his contemporary camera technique (tilted angles, freeze frame transitions etc.) really suits the urban style that he is attempting to convey. A zany mixture between a Hollywood film and a British TV show, yet it works. Fortunately, he retained the same aesthetics from the first film. Flashy onscreen effects, zoomed in shots of drugs to intensify the scene and a dance/trance soundtrack. Underworld's "Born Slippy" is embedded within the soundtrack to highlight the nostalgia even more. The characters are as memorable as ever. Renton is filled with regret, Sick Boy is fuelled by hatred, Begbie just wants revenge and Spud...well he is just loveable. Incomprehensible, but loveable. All four leads were consistently great and found their performances to be entrancing. Why then, when the credits rolled, did I feel slightly underwhelmed? The constant hold and embrace of nostalgia deters from the current story. Clearly harking back to a more memorable and prolific film in an attempt to enhance this sequel, but if anything it just made me want to watch its predecessor again. Flashbacks are fine, but when it is constant it just feels jarring and tedious. This certainly isn't as hard hitting and controversial either, its tame approach may put people off.

tubezzz The first 30-40 minutes of the movie were perfect. everyone is back, the scenes are funny and promising, and the nostalgia kicks in and makes you fall in love with the cast all over again.Sadly, after 30+ minutes, it feels like they literally lost the script, and had to come up with the story on the spot. the momentum is gone and so is the excitement. the story is just not good enough.

andrewrmiddleton Don't be under any doubt that T2 is very underrated as a standalone piece of work. It's a beautifully and inventively shot rush of adrenalin.Robert Carlyle gives another masterful performance as the psychotic, yet ultimately more self-aware, Begbie. Ewan Bremner is also excellent in re-creating the hapless and hilarious Spud. What the movie does extremely well is stay true to and connect with the original, but in a mature and non-convoluted way. Just like the original it opens at a frenetic pace, with Renton sprinting and a high energy track blasting in the background. But this time it's on a treadmill in Amsterdam, to the incessant pounding of the addictive Shotgun Mouthwash. We instantly know and feel that this is the contemporary part of the same universe.If you're familiar with Scotland, you'll also know the significance of the Eastern European greeters at the airport, Sick Boy's Bulgarian prostitute girlfriend, and Renton riding the tram through Haymarket into Edinburgh. Renton is experiencing the changes to the country, for better or worse, since he left 20 years ago.A various points throughout the movie, we flash back to connecting moments from the original, and even to connecting moments from the distant past that we've never seen before but somehow feel we have. Nostalgia is a significant part of the movie, but not in a way which feels forced or tacky. It's about connection to the past, and the characters self-assessing the courses of their lives.Obviously based on the novels Trainspotting and Porno, there isn't a standard movie plot structure. And why should there be? In my view, this would have detracted from what the movie is - a window into the current lives of the characters we know and love, and a sharing with them of their analysis of the courses their lives have taken over the past 20 years and of their insecurities about their legacies.There's a depth and artistry to this movie which would be missed by the ordinary movie-goer. But that's fine. Most people seem to be satisfied with Star Wars rehashes.