T2 TRAINSPOTTING

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Away from home for twenty years, Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) returns to reconnect and make amends for past misdeeds with old friends Spud (Ewen Bremner), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) and Begbie (Robert Carlyle). Spud, hooked on heroin, entertains thoughts of becoming a writer after attempting suicide. Sick Boy, a cocaine addict, is operating a failing pub while using his girlfriend Veronika (Anjela Nedyalkova) for blackmailing sexual activities. Begbie, serving a 25-year prison sentence, escapes to seek revenge against Mark. Age hasn't mellowed the former buddies and changes are in store before
reconciliation can take place - if possible.

Sex, drugs and killer rock and roll return for another look at the low-life scene in Edinburgh, Scotland. Director Danny Boyle has reassembled his cast from "Trainspotting" (1996) for this 'where-are-they-now' follow-up that doesn't quite have the same impact as the inventive and shocking original. Also returning is screenwriter John Hodge, delivering more dark melancholy that should please fans - but probably won't gain many new followers. For those who haven't seen the first film, there are flashbacks and enough in-depth look at the characters to keep confusion to a minimum. Only Spud, the most interesting of the group, comes close to being likeable. But with no one to really root for, it becomes nearly 2 hours of watching miserable people trying to get through life. On the bright side, Kelly Macdonald is back briefly as Renton's ex-girlfriend Diane, who is now a successful legal practitioner whose help the boys need. The four lead actors, at the top of their game, make this drama work. A soundtrack that includes music from The Clash, Blondie, Queen, Wolf Alice, The Prodigy and more doesn't hurt. This movie earns its R rating for drug use, language, strong sexual content, graphic nudity and some violence. As a revealing and edgy sequel, "T2 Trainspotting" is right on track. (3 CAMS)


Rated R / Running Time: 117 minutes

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