Trainspotting sequel

Agricola

Hopefully seeing this tonight. Sounds like it isn't a patch on T1 but works best as a nostalgia hit for old folk who loved the original back in the day. That'll do me!

pilly

Agricola wrote: »

Hopefully seeing this tonight. Sounds like it isn't a patch on T1 but works best as a nostalgia hit for old folk who loved the original back in the day. That'll do me!

You will really enjoy it.

Tilikum

Saw it last night. Thought it was excellent.

Also must be one of the few that enjoyed the soundtrack.

Ferris_Bueller

I thought it was brilliant. Storyline is only okay but the characters are so good that they make up for it, very nostalgic with some of the references to the first one, I'd say the film would be lost on someone who hadn't seen the first one. Some of the scenes are hilarious

the scene where Renton & Begbie are in the cubicals side by side was hilarious, that period of Begbie coming to the nightclub and ending up chasing Renton through the car park was great watching.

team_actimel wrote: »

Though the film was great. Soundtrack was disappointing though.

Disappointed they didn't play 'Born Slippy'. Throughout the film they had slow instrumental snippets of it and it seemed like it would build up to being played at the end.

I thought the soundtrack was good. Different to the first in that I don't think it featured many really memorable songs from it's era

Most of the memorable songs in it were older songs such as Radio Gaga & Relax.

I was incredibly disappointed that born slippy wasn't in it too. As you said, it felt as if the whole movie had been building up to the moment as it was teased on us in a few key scenes. I thought it was a missed opportunity for it not to come on at a really big scene towards the end.

Vertigo100

I think lust for life was the song they teased and the finished the film with it superbly. You hear the first few beats when Renton is going through his records. I said to my friend with me that I hope the play it in the correct place.

I was more than pleased the way they did it.

Nerdlingr

Saw it tonight and was disappointed with it. It's an average enough film, and the fact it's only really a companion piece to the first one that gives it any sort of saving grace.
The story I thought was very weak. The flashbacks to the first film got a small bit annoying after a while. There's no need to keep on reusing clips from the first movie. There should have been more winks and nods than blatant flashbacks. Like the toilet scene in where renton has a look and goes to the next one. Great nod to T1 and nicely done.
It's spuds movie really. Hes the only one really whos character develops in any way in the film. Great to see him get off a lifetime of drugs by doing a bit of writing!!
and begbie having a change of heart over his son? Not buying it.
Still it's not all bad. Good to relive the youth. And as someone else pointed out, and they were probably breaking the fourth wall with this, the film could be summed up by "youre a tourist in your own youth". Nostalgia. Its always nice to go back, but it's never really the way you remember it.

jcsoulinger

Seen this over the weekend, I was a bit apprehensive about watching it as I was a massive fan of the first one.

I left the cinema with a new appreciation of just how good the first one is. T2 is like a trip down memory lane it's grand full of nostalgia but no real substance, the storyline is nonexistent, Renton and Sickboy offer feck all, Spud is grand but maybe a bit OTT with the junkie done good routine sometimes, Begbie is excellent he's the best thing about the movie very funny altogether.

One of the things that really didn't sit right with me was Rentons choose life monologue, In the first one it was the perfect way to end the movie, with a smiling Renton escaping while we hear his thoughts about embracing a mundane drug free lifestyle internally while born slippy plays over it. In T2 I have no problem with the contents of what he said, It was the way it was presented he was on a date and he just said the monologue to your one with no music in the backround and no significant build up to it, It was really annoying, stupid, and above all not very Renton.

It's disappointing as if it had a more coherent storyline it could have been very good, but it's just a passable sequel 6/10

C. Montgomery Gurns

tony1kenobi wrote: »

What year is it set lads? It appears to be our present but it I always thought Trainspotting was late 80s. The new one certainly isn't set in 2008 is it?

Either way I enjoyed it.

Very much 2016. The original Trainspotting book seemed to be set over a few years from the late 80's into the early 90's given the references they would make (IIRC when they're bringing the heroin to London Spud is wearing a Rep of Ireland Italia 90 shirt :pac:) but the film seems to have been in the 90's, concluding in 1996.

Flaccus

Tilikum wrote: »

Saw it last night. Thought it was excellent.

Also must be one of the few that enjoyed the soundtrack.

Same. Enjoyed the soundtrack especially Wolf Alice. Movie was all I hoped it would be. Great characters. Very nostalgic and sad in places.

homerun_homer

I was looking forward to this but had trepidation, regardless of the good reviews. I didn't like it. I'm not even in the middle about it, I just didn't like it. I didn't like the direction (for the most part), the soundtrack was lacking throughout (given how great the first films used the soundtrack) and it was too long. I would have been OK with the nostalgia factor but it was too much. I understand this is a film set 20 years later and the characters are reflecting back on their lives, but I don't need to see inserts of the original and constant footage of them as children.

I hated the cinematography. The digital cameras used to make this was far inferior to the look of the first film. There was a lot of digital grain and at times it looked like it was filmed on a phone, particularly the part where Renton is running past the fountain to get away from Begbie.

Overall it felt like a poor film version of the This is England TV show.

eldest200

Choose life, choose boards ie

run_Forrest_run

Just back from it, ah I enjoyed it as a trip down memory lane,

the scene with Spud on the street after exiting the boxing gym

just made the hairs stand on the back of my neck, very nostalgic moment (for me anyway)

Brian?

homerun_homer wrote: »

I was looking forward to this but had trepidation, regardless of the good reviews. I didn't like it. I'm not even in the middle about it, I just didn't like it. I didn't like the direction (for the most part), the soundtrack was lacking throughout (given how great the first films used the soundtrack) and it was too long. I would have been OK with the nostalgia factor but it was too much. I understand this is a film set 20 years later and the characters are reflecting back on their lives, but I don't need to see inserts of the original and constant footage of them as children.

I hated the cinematography. The digital cameras used to make this was far inferior to the look of the first film. There was a lot of digital grain and at times it looked like it was filmed on a phone, particularly the part where Renton is running past the fountain to get away from Begbie.

Overall it felt like a poor film version of the This is England TV show.

The soundtrack is phenomenal, its of its time. Young Fathers, Wolf Alice and Fat White Family are 3 of the best alternative bands around. Then add in a healthy slice of nostalgia and it's a winner.

I thought the cinematography was great. The way it was shot was purposely horrible at times. I'm pretty sure Boyle was trying to parody YouTube phone videos in parts. Again, adding something modern.

The film wasn't without its flaws. But it was over all very enjoyable. It touched on the darkness of the books nicely. Some of the small pieces of back story were actually from Skagboys, a prequel to trainspotting, and I thought really added depth to the characters.

As a big Irvine Welsh fan, I was very happy leaving the cinema.

homerun_homer

Brian? wrote: »

The soundtrack is phenomenal, its of its time. Young Fathers, Wolf Alice and Fat White Family are 3 of the best alternative bands around. Then add in a healthy slice of nostalgia and it's a winner.

I'm not saying the soundtrack was bad, I'm getting more at the impact it makes in the film, in comparison to how much impact the soundtrack made in the first film. I'm big into many of the bands and I couldn't wait to see how Fat White Family's tune would be used. I walked out disappointed that it was a no show and then heard the opening rhythm as the cinema door shut behind me. Wasted opportunity. Young Fathers was used well, probably the best use of new music in the film. Rubberbandits were just crammed in for no reason other than Danny Boyle got a stiffy for them when he was making it. I thought it'd be cool to see how My Dad's Best Friend gets used in it but it was disappointing. And being honest I didn't spot the Wolf Alice track being used. It must have been slight and unnoticeable.

MfMan

jcsoulinger wrote: »

Seen this over the weekend, I was a bit apprehensive about watching it as I was a massive fan of the first one.

I left the cinema with a new appreciation of just how good the first one is. T2 is like a trip down memory lane it's grand full of nostalgia but no real substance, the storyline is nonexistent, Renton and Sickboy offer feck all, Spud is grand but maybe a bit OTT with the junkie done good routine sometimes, Begbie is excellent he's the best thing about the movie very funny altogether.

Wasn't expecting overmuch from it but enjoyed it nevertheless. Not as dark as the first one and more of a nostalgia-trip than plot-driven. Liked Sick Boy, seemed to be the most one with a plan, however ersatz, to succeed. Blondie's 'Dreaming' reminded me a bit of the Layla instrumental in Goodfellas for some reason.

Mantis Toboggan

Seen this in the cinema last night.
No more than 20 people at it.

Thought it was very good, as someone who loved the first one I thought this one was a worthy successor.

jameorahiely

I loved it. I thought it was very funny.

jobless

Saw this last night and really liked it... was never going to be as good as the first but for a sequel i thought it was great.
Soundtrack is a cracker.... maybe those complaining havent heard of Young Fathers, Wolf Alice... but they are worth checking out.

I dont think he was ever gonna use the original Born Slippy in the film but the new version 'Slow Slippy' was excellently placed in the film... Even the version of Lust for life isnt the original

I fully expected to be disappointed going to this film but came out with a smile on my face.... I loved the nostalgia in the film but i can understand how younger people who werent around for the original might think it was overkill

artvanderlay

Saw it last week...very disappointed. Begbie is now a comedy character without any of the menace that made him such a scary psychopath, Spud is now some great story teller (it was much funnier in the book when Spud was writing a history of Leith, but it was rejected for being unintelligible sh*te!), the Sick Boy plot was weak (after a good start) and I can't stand Renton/Ewan McGregor (it's a pity Begbie didn't get him in the end). The scene with them improvising an anti-Catholic song was truly cringeworthy.

They should have based the story a lot more on Porno, and made Sick Boy the centre of the story. He has the best lines, and despite being so cynical, he keeps making the same mistakes, trusting Renton and others who rip him off. The book had a much more coherent story, and the characters were more in line with the original book/movie. The female character in the movie was threadbare...just there to listen to the boys talk sh*te...yawn! I had to go back and buy Porno again (or Trainspotting 2 as they are now calling it on reprinting) just to remind me what a true sequel should have been like. I think the final chapter in that book is one of the funniest chapters in any book.

Larry SR

I was expecting way more from Sick Boy in the film, based on what his character was like in Porno.

Thought Begbie's character could have been a lot better too. Doesn't have the same menace he once did. I hope they never think of making the Blade Artist into a film as well.

Spud's book being chapters of the original Trainspotting was a superb touch.

Brian?

Larry SR wrote: »

I was expecting way more from Sick Boy in the film, based on what his character was like in Porno.

Thought Begbie's character could have been a lot better too. Doesn't have the same menace he once did. I hope they never think of making the Blade Artist into a film as well.

Spud's book being chapters of the original Trainspotting was a superb touch.

There are rumours a film version of "Blade Artist" is being lined up. I wouldn't be surprised. Lets face it, most film adaptations of Welsh's books have been muck.

HamsterFace

jobless wrote: »

Soundtrack is a cracker.... maybe those complaining havent heard of Young Fathers, Wolf Alice... but they are worth checking out.

I don't think it matters a damn whether or not you have heard of any of the bands in the soundtrack, what matters is whether or not it made a significant contribution to the film.

For instance, my favourite soundtrack of recent years was from Drive and I don't think I know any of the artists on it.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sure, not a cultural icon like the first, but with enough nods to it to satisfy old timers like me. One or 2 quibbles, McGregor was the weak link in the acting for me, or maybe his character was not as scene stealing as the others, and Veronica got too much screen time and too central a role. And I still think one of the scenes deserved an Underworld track. But it flew by.

jobless

HamsterFace wrote: »

I don't think it matters a damn whether or not you have heard of any of the bands in the soundtrack, what matters is whether or not it made a significant contribution to the film.

For instance, my favourite soundtrack of recent years was from Drive and I don't think I know any of the artists on it.

My comment there was in reference to someone saying they'd never heard any of the tracks before.. I thought it was a really good soundtrack... Was never going to match the original one but for that movie it was a good attempt

jobless

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sure, not a cultural icon like the first, but with enough nods to it to satisfy old timers like me. One or 2 quibbles, McGregor was the weak link in the acting for me, or maybe his character was not as scene stealing as the others, and Veronica got too much screen time and too central a role. And I still think one of the scenes deserved an Underworld track. But it flew by.

There was an Underworld track in the shooting up scene... Thought it was really well placed

Santi101

Got to this today - found it very enjoyable. Agreed on Veronika getting too much air time but a satisfying pay off for the old fans I think.

johnpatrick81

I thought it was absolutely fantastic. Looking forward to watching it again, back to back.

One thing I wasn't sure of......did Mark end up back on the junk? The throw back at the end seemed to suggest that.

pilly

johnpatrick81 wrote: »

I thought it was absolutely fantastic. Looking forward to watching it again, back to back.

One thing I wasn't sure of......did Mark end up back on the junk? The throw back at the end seemed to suggest that.

I wanted to watch it again straight away as well as I didn't catch a lot of it.

errlloyd

pilly wrote: »

I wanted to watch it again straight away as well as I didn't catch a lot of it.

I went on Friday and Saturday just because of that. I don't think Mark goes back on the junk at the end, but it's open to interpretation.

pilly

errlloyd wrote: »

I went on Friday and Saturday just because of that. I don't think Mark goes back on the junk at the end, but it's open to interpretation.

Not sure where people are picking that up from? Must be something I missed? What suggested he went back on it?

errlloyd

pilly wrote: »

Not sure where people are picking that up from? Must be something I missed? What suggested he went back on it?

I guess he goes back into his own room, turns on the music, does the weird junky pose stretch thing and then the room flies away from him. It looks kinda like he's resigned himself to that life.

pilly

errlloyd wrote: »

I guess he goes back into his own room, turns on the music, does the weird junky pose stretch thing and then the room flies away from him. It looks kinda like he's resigned himself to that life.

Oh right, no I suppose I didn't think that deep into it. I suppose it is open to interpretation really.

Was the scene were the shot up real or fantasy?

errlloyd

pilly wrote: »

Was the scene were the shot up real or fantasy?

So if I remember correctly the scenes went something like this.

Renton, Simon and Spud head out to meadow and lay the flowers, Renton and Simon argue over who has the heavier conscience.

Then there is a flash back to the baby in Transpotting. Then the spoon, then Renton and Simon are doing heroin in Spuds apartment while he abstains. Then they're in the club (Radio Gaga). Then Renton bumps into Begby in the jacks and we have the chase.

I don't think it was fantasy, but I'm not as good with movie interpretation as others. The scene in the club definitely happened, Renton has bandages on for the rest of the film.

pilly

errlloyd wrote: »

So if I remember correctly the scenes went something like this.

Renton, Simon and Spud head out to meadow and lay the flowers, Renton and Simon argue over who has the heavier conscience.

Then there is a flash back to the baby in Transpotting. Then the spoon, then Renton and Simon are doing heroin in Spuds apartment while he abstains. Then they're in the club (Radio Gaga). Then Renton bumps into Begby in the jacks and we have the chase.

I don't think it was fantasy, but I'm not as good with movie interpretation as others. The scene in the club definitely happened, Renton has bandages on for the rest of the film.

No, me either. That's why I'm more confused now. That's why I'd love to see it again.

SpaceCowb0y

I thought it was brilliant, it was never going to be as good as the original but it definitely done a good job of bringing those characters back to the big screen even if it did deviate a good bit from the book 'Porno'.

Where was the porn film storyline with Juice Terry (would have loved to see this character brought to life)? Why was Diane barley involved and why did veronica get such a pivotal role in the whole thing?

The movie feels almost standalone rather than a true adaption but i still think it was great and in no way tarnishes the original like so many sequels wind up doing.

Most of the Welsh book adaptions have been pants (FILTH, Ecstasy and yes The Acid House) but Danny Boyle really captures that bleak sense of humour in the books perfectly.

I'd love to see himself and Welsh team up to make Glue, love that book!

smacl

SpaceCowb0y wrote: »

I'd love to see himself and Welsh team up to make Glue, love that book!

My favourite of his books too, would make a fantastic movie.

Went to see T2 with my daughter and we both really enjoyed it. She loved the original, and I was half surprised she liked T2 as it was very middle aged by comparison. Had nothing to do with Porno, and looking at the credits I notice it was written by John Hodge and not Welsh. Not a patch on the original movie, but then what is?

goose2005

Deleted User wrote: »

"T2 - Trainspotting" sounds like it would have made for a really boring Terminator movie.

"I need your anorak, your binoculars and your notebook."

Gamb!t

Saw this over the weekend,thought it was poor for a sequel but if the first one hadnt been made I would have said it was a decent Danny Boyle movie.

errlloyd

errlloyd wrote: »

I went on Friday and Saturday just because of that. I don't think Mark goes back on the junk at the end, but it's open to interpretation.

I didn't get that at all, quite the opposite, when they took heroin in the films they usually just keeled over or sat, think his dancing around showed his ability to just listen and enjoy the song and not associate it with heroin and the craziness.

pumpkin4life

SpaceCowb0y wrote: »

I thought it was brilliant, it was never going to be as good as the original but it definitely done a good job of bringing those characters back to the big screen even if it did deviate a good bit from the book 'Porno'.

Where was the porn film storyline with Juice Terry (would have loved to see this character brought to life)? Why was Diane barley involved and why did veronica get such a pivotal role in the whole thing?

The movie feels almost standalone rather than a true adaption but i still think it was great and in no way tarnishes the original like so many sequels wind up doing.

Most of the Welsh book adaptions have been pants (FILTH, Ecstasy and yes The Acid House) but Danny Boyle really captures that bleak sense of humour in the books perfectly.


I'd love to see himself and Welsh team up to make Glue, love that book!

I liked Filth. It's no classic sure; no Trainspotting (1 or 2 tbh) but its a tight little movie with a great turn by James Mcavoy.

I said this earlier in the thread as well: I would love to see a Marabou Stork Nightmares film. If it was in the hands of a skilled enough director it would be fùcking magic out. As a novel its the equal to Trainspotting.

Glue as well. Ouside of Renton and Strang, the old Juice Terry could be class in his own film as well.

Larry SR

Never say never but I really cant see Glue working as a film.

Agricola

Really enjoyed the unique feeling of revisiting characters, storylines and scenes from 20 years ago. If you're of a certain age you're going on this journey into the past with Renton too.

I'm not sure how they would have made a Trainspotting film without a big money scam thread, but I felt like it was unnecessary and contrived. Similarly Begbie playing the role of the Terminator. When Spud was locking the pub doors I was waiting for him to say
"Begbie can't be bargained with. He can't be reasoned with. He doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!"

I would have preferred a film sticking closer to the themes of loss, regret, etc

as when Renton goes home to his Dad and later meets Spud, who then goes onto try to chronicle the old days they all shared together. There were some nice moving moments which I think would strike a cord with anyone, like when Spud comes out of the gym and remembers Renton and he running from security guards as kids, or when he begins to stick photos up on the window and his face is laced with sadness and regret. Also of course, the scene on the mountain side where they remember Tommy

. I think the heart of the film is this kind of stuff and another film could have been made without the contrived scam.... but don't ask me what would give it direction.

Robineen

jobless wrote: »

I loved the nostalgia in the film but i can understand how younger people who werent around for the original might think it was overkill

I was around for the original and love it... I found the nostalgia too much in the sequel.

Looper007

Add me in on those who loved the film, sure it was always going to be impossible to top the first film, it was a game charger for British Cinema and probably the film Danny Boyle will be forever known for. But Boyle and Co gave us a very good sequel that doesn't put the characters or the first film to shame. It's got the feel of mature second album, that needs a few listens to really get it's genius instead of the blistering debut that gets you the first time you hear it.

It's definitely Ewen Bremner as Spud who's the heart and soul of this film, he walks away with the acting honours from this. Robert Carlyle also was fantastic and the film actually gives him a nice moment inside the characters horrible moments. I thought Ewan McGregor's Renton wasn't as interesting a character this time around as he was in the first film, but he's still great in this as was Johnny Lee Miller. I thought Anjela Nedyalkova was quite good as Veronika, she was easy on the eye too. Loved that Shirley Henderson and Kelly MacDonald got small cameos, but MacDonald's Diane felt she was just there for fan service.

I loved the bittersweet feel to it as well, just full of regret and disappointment. I didn't mind the nods back to the first film. The last few minutes had me sniffle a bit. Overall not going to top the first film but definitely holds it own.

BionicRasher

I am the same age as the lads in the movie so I can relate to it all perfectly. Hell I even got a tattoo in the months shortly after the original movie came out (my one and only tattoo!) ‘Born Slippy’ adorns my body!

I found it very nostalgic and a perfect round out to the original. Some of the storylines were unnecessary but the main thread was spot on with everyone trying to come to terms with their friendship status after 20 years and how Renton's betrayal has impacted all their lives.

I will have to see it again to see all the little bits and pieces I may have missed and catch some of the classic quotes but the one or two questions I have are around

the guys shooting up and the end scene with Renton in his bedroom. Are they really shooting up? Is Renton choosing life or about to fall back into his old habits portrayed by his junkie pose and arching his back as he did in Mother Superiors in the original movie?

Will we have another follow up in another 20 years to see

Begbie on the run again or to see how Sick Boy fairs in the pub business and how Spuds possible books are an international hit?????

The 2 hours flew by and although I wasn’t too enamoured by the soundtrack in the movie I have since listened to it a few times and its just as classic as the first soundtrack. It’s a real grower. However I won’t be repeating history to get a ‘Slow Slippy’ moniker on my body – then again you would never know!

benjamin d

Looper007 wrote: »

I thought Ewan McGregor's Renton wasn't as interesting a character this time around as he was in the first film

I felt like that was deliberate, that he moved on and had a different life but that he's fairly hollow despite it, which is partly why he's back home - to reconnect with the old him who had a distinct personality. The gym scene seemed to imply that I thought.

Eggonyerface

I'm just going to come out and say it, I was very disappointed, I thought it was going to be a let down until the glowing reviews came out and then I think I hyped it up in my head too much

m1r9h71

I was really looking forward to this as i thought it would be directly taken from the follow up book "Porno". When i found out that it was only loosely based on it i was less interested - however, the scene in the trailer where Spud falls backwards off a tower block on a chair was all the hook i needed! Same director, same cast what more can we ask? Other than...is it any good?

Wheeliebin30

One thing,

How did spud know begbie was coming for the two lads at the end in the pub at 12?

pumpkin4life

m1r9h71 wrote: »

I was really looking forward to this as i thought it would be directly taken from the follow up book "Porno". When i found out that it was only loosely based on it i was less interested - however, the scene in the trailer where Spud falls backwards off a tower block on a chair was all the hook i needed! Same director, same cast what more can we ask? Other than...is it any good?

It's good. Not a patch on the first one but a fine film all the same. A worthy sequel. Just don't expect Godfather II or anything.