There is a moment in this sequel to Trainspotting where you hear someone say “You’re here for nostalgia”. Unfortunately that’s also probably the feeling many viewers will have after watching T2. The original 1996 movie stood out because of its story about drug addicts, the crazy characters and shocking moments. Is it really necessary to return 20 years later to visit Renton (Ewan McGregor), Spud (Ewen Bremner), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) and Begbie (Robert Carlyle) to see where they are in their lives?
Having lived in Amsterdam for 20 years, Renton decides to return to Scotland to visit the people he once called friends, but whose money he took. As expected those meeting often are very uncomfortable. Still Sick Boy and Renton (after some bumps in the road) hang out again to get something new started. Meanwhile Spud tries to get rid of his addiction.
Despite the feeling of familiarity and nostalgia seeing these characters again, in which the famous “Choose life” gets an update, its two-hour running time feels overly long. There are moments which work well and are fun to watch, but still I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might have been better not to return to this well.
