Wednesday 1 February 2017

Film: 'T2 Trainspotting'

Oh, how I really do wish I could have rated this even higher than I have. But although I can recall only a little of the original film, to which this is a 20-years-later sequel, I do remember experiencing the extraordinary adrenalin rush the 1996 release had given me. I didn't quite get that here, though part of the reason for that could well be how I (along with everyone else, naturally) have aged since.

Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Ewen Bremner and Johnny Lee Miller reprise their much younger characters, meeting up again (or re-confronting each other) in Edinburgh after a couple of decades of prison, criminal activities, debauchery, marriages and separations, fathering children, drug involvement etc etc - you get the picture. They've learnt little from mistakes of the past - though its Begbie (Carlyle's completely crazed character) who is the one who's least reformed, angry as hell about everyone else rather than himself, now with a son in teenage years whom he derides as the boy tries to make himself respectable, something his father has never even attempted. Meanwhile Renton (McGregor - as the most matured of the four, at least up to a point) comes on the scene, having run off in the earlier film with everbody else's share of ill-gotten cash, and Begbie is the last person in the world who knows forgiveness, out to wreak revenge and demand atonement. Johnny Lee Miller and Ewen Bremner show few occasional flashes of maturity but are liable at any time to return to former ways - and then there's younger, east European Veronica (Anjela Nedyalkova) hovering around them with knowing silences and sober platitudes. 
There are some impressive set-pieces, such as Renton's (McGregor) 'Choose Life' soliloquy. Quickfire verbal exchanges and arguments can turn in a split-second into horrific punch-ups, and not just with fists but with anything that's near at hand - though, curiously, with mostly blood-free results. 
Soundtrack pieces chosen often refer back to the earlier film, as well as there being quite a number of short, visual extracts from T1.

As in 1996, this film is based on writings of Irvine Welsh. Director Danny Boyle, along with his quartet of actors, has well re-caught the spirit of his earlier effort and he doesn't try to make them overdo physically what their decades-younger selves could easily accomplish with their then much suppler and stamina-fuelled bodies, although there are echoes of their attempting to emulate those earlier young men, especially in at least one long, running pursuit. 
Boyle also delivers his expected full panoply of mind-dizzying, arresting images, often in heady, quick succession. I couldn't help being reminded of Ken Russell at his most manic - which I intend as a compliment.

Although set in Edinburgh - and we do see some good exterior shots of that most photogenic of cities, including a climb right up to the summit of  'Arthur's Seat' (the prominent high 'hill' which overlooks the capital with a fabulous view) - most of the film, including all the interiors, was actually filmed in Glasgow.

Though I did find this film very entertaining indeed, it ultimately lacked for me that final 'kick' which so marked out the earlier film as being something exceptional. Nevertheless, I still would thoroughly recommend it, especially to fans of the first. If you're not familiar with the original (which I've not seen again since that 1996 release) then I would recommend this even more as you'll probably be in for a terrific surprise, though you may well be shocked as well, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

If this film hadn't been a sequel, having an original with which to compare it, I may have been even more impressed than I was, and which I'd been dearly hoping to have been. But even so, I have no hesitation in giving it, in my terms, a hefty score of..........7.5.

14 comments:

  1. Interesting
    I guess I am the only person on the planet that could take or leave the original. Admittedly there were points of interest and innovation, but it was too cold for my liking

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    1. I think you have to be in the minority in not feeling strongly (either way) about the original, J.G. I doubt if this one is going to make you feel any more favourably disposed to its notion - but you could be so I'd still say that if you're in any way interested enough to give it a try.

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  2. Being a fan of the original, I cannot wait to see this one.

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    1. I'll be surprised if you like this MORE than the original, Bob, but you may well go for it in equal measure. I do not agree with those (a few) who are saying that this sequel should never have been made and the original should have been left to stand alone. In my books it's quite a success.

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  3. The first one is one of my all time favourite films. From what I have read of the new one I dont think I want to see it, particularly those who have said the way the film tries to reuse techniques of the first now appear dated. I suppose I should go to make up my own mind but I fear disappointment.

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    1. Rachel, going with that attitude could well mean that you'll appreciate it MORE, so I'd urge you to see it. I only felt it didn't come up to the original - and only by a slight amount, I stress - because I was hoping very badly this would have the same effect on me.
      Btw: Right now here in the background is radio talk about this film and an e-mail being read out that one viewer thought that T2 was actually better than the first. So, you can never tell - but do go with an open mind, and be prepared to enjoy it!

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  4. doesn't sound my cup of tea. Although I would like to see Edinburgh

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    1. It's by no means a film for everyone, Dr Spo. Edinburgh is a lovely and lively city, though I've only seen it during the annual Edinburgh (Arts) Festival, which is not the best time to experience it, and the last time was as long ago as 1981. I'd love to go again.

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  5. Ray,
    Didn't see the first film because like Dr. Spo, doesn't sound like my cup of tea nor this one either. But like Dr. Spo, I would love to see Edinburgh. I would like to see England. Still on my Bucket List and I'm still alive. If either Pat or I win the lottery, we coming!
    Ron

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    1. If you ever do come over this way, Ron, and I really hope you do, Edinburgh must be on your 'essential' list - along with at least half a dozen other locations.
      If your trans-Atlantic trip does come off you must let me know well in advance. Although I regret that you won't be able to stay here with me I will make every effort to visit you, most especially f part of your stay is in London, which it surely will be.

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  6. Although it is set in one of my favourite cities in the world, I think this maybe still a little violent for me. But such high praise does make me think it is worth the risk? 7.5 thats is really high!

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    1. You may not believe it, Sol, but I also recoil at violence - though particularly against animals as, if it doesn't actually take place and they don't get physically hurt, they can still suffer distress. At least human actors have a choice and know what they're in for - AND they're getting paid for it. I'm sure that these days films from Western Europe, America and Australasia do have vigilance about not hurting animals. The rest of the world may not be so concerned.
      Anyway, to get back to T2, it is violent certainly, but it's all very rapid, practically entirely bloodless and more or less in a 'comic-book style. I don't recall flinching even once - and I have seen far, FAR worse.
      If you saw the first 'Trainspotting' this is not more violent than that one was, perhaps even less.

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  7. Its weird, killing zombies in walking dead, not a flicker of weirded out. But a thriller like the silence of the lambs really scares me. I suppose its that zombies arent real, but there are sickos out there

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    1. It's near impossible to find a rationale behind ones emotions, Sol. Maybe it's futile to look for one.

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