First thing’s first: T2 Trainspotting is a lame title, a faux-clever swipe at the Terminator 2 ad campaign meant to, I guess, evoke nostalgia and mischief by intertwining two of the 1990s’ most important films. It’s also an apt encapsulation of Danny Boyle’s note-perfect sequel. Twenty-one years ago, four tragicomic Scottish hoodlums jumped from Irvine Welsh’s novel onto the big screen, stunning audiences with smack-soaked, pop-punk misadventures. Two decades on, they’re pathetic middle-aged men, forever chasing highs that were never as pure as they’d imagined by substituting careers and/or revenge for opiates. It’s fair to say that T2 (gag) isn’t as energetic or as fresh as the original, but neither are the characters and conventions that made it possible. Some will see only diminished returns in this call-back-heavy sequel, ignoring at their peril the flashing track signals that admonish us to savor every stop before the end of the line.
Listen to Kicking the Seat Podcast #210 to hear Ian and HollywoodChicago.com's Pat "The Über Critic" McDonald just say "Yes" to T2 Trainspotting!