T2

[GaijinPunch]

Trailer

Discuss

[Limbrooke]

sequelitis
also, words

[Jeneki]

Aww yeah.

[GaijinPunch]

sequelitis
also, words

Going on the record here... will be interesting if I come back and look like a dipshit... like half the people in the Trump thread.

I am quite confident that Trainspotting 2 will be somewhere in the vicinity of 80% as good as the original, and am equally as confident that the upcoming Blade Runner sequel will be somewhere around 25% as good as the original.

The book actually does have a sequel, although this looks to be a different monster.

[Sumez]

Trainspotting is one of those movies I know I have watched but that I remember absolutely nothing about. I know Ewan McGregor is in it and that it used cool contemporary music that I already liked beforehand. But I knew that before even watching it.

[Leandro]

I've yet to watch the first one. The IMDb rating is really high

[MX7]

Christ that film was a travesty. Almost as toothless an adaptation of it's source material and the American Psycho film. Obviously the source material is essentially unfilmable, a glorious mix of Joyce and Bukowski by way of A Clockwork Orange, but to condense this in to such a gormless, predigested, student bedroom wall fodder is especially painful.

[GaijinPunch]

Christ that film was a travesty. Almost as toothless an adaptation of it's source material and the American Psycho film. Obviously the source material is essentially unfilmable, a glorious mix of Joyce and Bukowski by way of A Clockwork Orange, but to condense this in to such a gormless, predigested, student bedroom wall fodder is especially painful.

It was dope. Not really sure what you wanted... or expected... Considering Irvine Welsh has always rated the film (or at least said he has, and he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy to bullshit for the camera) I'll side with him. He even appeared for a special showing of the film here in good old Chicago last year. And like a dip shit, I didn't try to buy my ticket before the day of.

[Skykid]

Christ that film was a travesty. Almost as toothless an adaptation of it's source material and the American Psycho film.

I've seen far worse adaptations; it was at least done with creativity. I certainly never considered the grim realities of Trainspotting to be "toothless" either, but I suppose you could argue against Boyle's stylisation if it rubs you the wrong way. Personally I think he conveyed the downward spiral of poverty vs drugs vs life fairly well.

It's a much better movie and adaptation than American Psycho though. That's far too commercial and altogether waify to have much to do with the book's schizophrenic insanity except on a surface level.

Trainspotting 2 sounds completely unnecessary to me, however.

[GaijinPunch]

Am I the only one that didn't care for the American Psycho film and never read the book?

Trainspotting 2 sounds completely unnecessary to me, however.

A fair argument. However, I always related to a lot of these characters in a few different ways. (No, I've never shot heroin). And at the time of the first film, parted ways with many people/communities in a similar vein as our protagonist. Now, as an older man, some of those roads cross again and it's interesting to see how some things change (and some don't). Necessary or not, as I often find in my current situation, I will enjoy catching up.

[Opus131]

I watched the original when i was in my early teens and it left an indelible mark on me... in a completely negative sense. I watched a lot of gross films in my time but i rarely despised a movie as much as i did with Trainspotting.

That said, i have no doubt this new one will be utterly worse on every level. Right off the bat, it is a sequel to a movie that admits to no following.

[Limbrooke]

sequelitis
also, words

Going on the record here... will be interesting if I come back and look like a dipshit... like half the people in the Trump thread.

I am quite confident that Trainspotting 2 will be somewhere in the vicinity of 80% as good as the original, and am equally as confident that the upcoming Blade Runner sequel will be somewhere around 25% as good as the original.

The book actually does have a sequel, although this looks to be a different monster.

To be fair, I'm an asshole. I can't say it appears to be anything but a proper sequel. The original was entertaining although truth be told I am not a fan of various aspects in the film, mainly the personality and morality of the characters. Having said that I don't think much will change and given everyone originally on board is back its probably going to do justice. If any issue there would be aside from my stance on not liking any characters, ideas, or ultimate outcome from the original is such that it might play the "heck look, we did this in T1" bit which might be easier to avoid if T2 had been realised earlier. Call it very soft reboot syndrome.

As for a Blade Runner sequel, is Scott involved? If so, then good god it will be terrible many magnitudes over this. All the same, the trailer looks good for T2.

[Skykid]

Am I the only one that didn't care for the American Psycho film and never read the book

Not at all. It's fairly average and generally overrated.

[Opus131]

The film is definitely overrated, as is Christian Bale's performance in it. Worst part for me is that there was no real "message" there. It was just the tale of a goofy psychopath who just happens to be an arrogant investment banker. If the purpose of the film was to expose the culture of corporate America in the 80s it failed miserably, since any attempt at vilifying that culture was gratuitous and almost cartoonish, which is how i would describe the film and i guess in that sense it is enjoyable from the point of view of basic schlock entertainment. Except for the nonsensical ending i guess. That was just plain bad.

[neorichieb1971]

T1 was eye opening for me because It educated me that you could cure heroine addiction by just moving south of the border. It was also the first time I saw a school girl being broken in before I knew she was a school girl.

Fond memories, except the bit at the bar with the drinks.

T2 looks like re-opening the same can of worms. That even with best intentions your past comes back to haunt you. And this sequel is perhaps what Star Wars ep7 is to ep4.

[GaijinPunch]

I watched the original when i was in my early teens and it left an indelible mark on me... in a completely negative sense.

Duh... Early teens...

mainly the personality and morality of the characters.

I guess I don't have to love characters to love a movie. I guess I am particular to the characters in this film though. Their morality... well.. obviously another story, but I'm not hanging out with any of them, and to be honest, as per before, I connected on a few levels. When Sickboy and Begbie basically invite themselves to Mark's place and live for free for ages. Oh, the good old days of being young.

[MintyTheCat]

am quite confident that Trainspotting 2 will be somewhere in the vicinity of 80% as good as the original, and am equally as confident that the upcoming Blade Runner sequel will be somewhere around 25% as good as the original.

My goodness, you sound like a Madame at the local Brothel

It will be pretty funny I feel. I like the quips and to be honest we need some piece of media to laugh at things as they stand and laugh at the jokers who 'work with it'.
"zero hour contracts, two hour commute to work; and the same for your kids only worse" Yes, I love the cynicism.

Also, my goodness, it has one of the loveliest Scottish ladies. My goodness, there are some very nice scottish ladies and Irish too... Anyway, it will be bloody hilarious and well worth seeing at the cinema. I might fly back to London to watch it with the Brits.

[jugemscloud]

sequelitis
also, words

The book actually does have a sequel, although this looks to be a different monster.

theres nothing in the trailer that doesn't look as if it follows the plot of porno, spud contemplating/atttempting suicide (the tower block scene is a dream/imagination imo), sick boy owning/running a bar, the porno shoot (further info is needed particularly why rentboy returns in this context to say if his narrative follows that of porno), begbie getting out of jail and going after rentboy though not much (if any) direct info is presented to that effect

what is jarring is the content and therefor contextualisation of the chose narrative and i think thats where most people are reading too much into it rather than the visuals presented, i think that its unnecessary and crass as a means of contextualisation and does not work other than to affirm to a general audience what this is and where its from (which is part purpose of a trailer) as well as playing to their nostalgia, particularly to those who aren't very invested in the characters or pseudo fictional world. though this was always a reflection of the times i.e. the aspirational values 80s/90s and the start of true globalization and the middle class lifestyle and accoutrements are now not as valid or sought, so can understand the choice in content in this context.

also the style looks way to glossy though i think this may the effect of DNA films in post judging by their catalogue

the most inconsequential factiod about t1 - the scenes with diane at school were shot at my secondary school and she wouldn't have had the yellow on her blazer that was for 5th and 6th year only for top performers of specific subjects mainly music and sport, as she was too young

[GaijinPunch]

theres nothing in the trailer that doesn't look as if it follows the plot of porno, spud contemplating/atttempting suicide (the tower block scene is a dream/imagination imo), sick boy owning/running a bar, the porno shoot (further info is needed particularly why rentboy returns in this context to say if his narrative follows that of porno), begbie getting out of jail and going after rentboy though not much (if any) direct info is presented to that effect

I read yesterday that Welsh said T2 would follow the book somewhat but not be called Porno (good call, actually). Not having read the source material, it's hard to see how this could be what I assume is the story of the book. Again... didn't read it, so largely ignore that if it makes little sense.

the most inconsequential factiod about t1 - the scenes with diane at school were shot at my secondary school and she wouldn't have had the yellow on her blazer that was for 5th and 6th year only for top performers of specific subjects mainly music and sport, as she was too young

She was a pro at riding a cock though. What color would that have been?

[jugemscloud]

She was a pro at riding a cock though. What color would that have been?

it would have just been brown without the yellow stripe on the edge, its just a bit of cloth/ribbon that you had to have tailored on the standard blazer cost about £70 when I was there 15 years ago (was nominated by my teacher for painting but they didn't recognise art as a worthwhile subject for "colours")

[Limbrooke]

I revisited T1 and will now share my thoughts for no reason.

As mentioned, I don't enjoy the film in terms of story/theme, characters, or end result but I will say its quite a well made film. The pace is blistering thanks to the excellent editting and scene execution. That's as far as I go, though.

Given the pace of the film and the setting it gives me the impression the under-belly of Scotland is really dire. I don't feel as though I'm some well-to-do arsehole who shys away from a dark alley in reality but the entire set up is of Scotland being dangerous and seedy (the washroom at the betting house, beating up the tourist at the pub, &c.). This is of course one side to it and given the specific nature of the film the focus is on a small segment of hard drug users so it doesn't speak to the entire country/time period.

As for the characters they drive the plot and drive it hard so here is my take on each.

Sick Boy - a bit snobby/know it all type and ultimately unredeemable character. Seems geniunely selfish and I think adds little to the entire experience. Objectives range from getting high whilst looking sharp to extorting/earning money without doing anything 'by the books'.

Begbie - a psychopath with no regard for others and otherwise wholly disturbed. A pechant for violence as a means to and end and thoroughly unlikeable character. Points of note being crashing on Renton during recovery in London and the initial set up of tossing the lager glass from the 2nd floor of a pub. He is of a main point for Renton to make his ultimate decision, for better or worse so despite being a complete shithead is a driving force throughout.

Spud - a tag-a-long for the ride type of sidekick. The relationship between him and Renton is fully realized by the end but its clear Spud sort of fell into the whole scene and really is just fighting the habit while still hanging around friends from times gone by since he doesn't know what else to do. I have no issue with Spud (cleaning the sheets aside) and feel as though there is hope for him after all. One of the few bright spots even if its a 20W bulb.

Diane - not much to say but I don't care for her. Comes off as a real asshole, some kind of guru or wise sage compared to Renton. The dispensing of advice and or worldly knowledge for her age is insulting. Renton blinded by the fact she calls the shots with authority and hasn't been laid in a dogs age goes along for the ride. Also, what's with her sleeping quarters? Renton is out in the hallway of some very odd apartment building but then ends up eating with her parents upon wake up? The hell.

Tommy - the most sensible, down to earth, 'normal' character here which sadly is smashed all-away. Unlike Spud, could been seen to excel beyond the group and go on a regular life. Has a steady girlfriend, seems active, healthy (for a Scot, no deep fried Mars bars here), and not off kilter. Like Spud, keeping close ties to the group from years back does him more harm than good. Rather than go to jail, association with the 'spotters sees him lose his sole meaningful relationship and ultimately ruin what otherwise could have been a good life. The end result is tragic but feels hollow as pardon the brief service the interest seems more on what exactly 'finally' killed him versus the long chicken ladder of shit that led him to that point.

Renton - Like the others, we don't see how Renton got here but he's a very dynamic (integral) person when it comes to the group. Not so much as the leader but the glue that binds them together and this has serious effects on the entire group. First, the influence he passes on to Spud is highly detrimental as Spud is too gullible/sore for attention he goes along anyway, for a time to his demise in prison. Despite the attitude exuded by Sick Boy, Renton is still looked at in critical situations as the guy to turn to (the baby, the last man for the drug deal in the end), and this reliance reflects heavily on other perceptions of Renton by the rest. Begbie despite his severe tone and fuck all attitude is also shown to lean on Renton since he initiates the break of peace and sobriety Renton found working in London with the genesis dreging back into a life of crime and strife again. The downfall of Tommy is entirely on Renton and yet he shows little remorse for the end result pardon the final visit to Tommy in his ruined flat - there is some sadness here seeing the shoe on the other foot and yet nothing is done about it. However, its never presented that Tommy acted any differently towards Renton and his habit so this is for the audience some eye for and eye type of showcase despite being an awful result (life is cruel, eh).


I stop short there since with the prospect of T2 I am left in doubt of Rentons "choos[ing] life" at the very end. If he did, why fall back after so many years away? Some Godfather 3 type bullshit here and unfortunately ruins the prospect that Renton did figure out theres more to a high or burgle job, that maybe people like Diane and having meaningful relationships whilst being somewhat rational/sober can make a difference. In being ahead of the curve that hope of a better way is passed on to Spud (implicitly) although he may not realize it in the form of large chunk of cash.

In closing, at least the film flies by but afterward I'm left feeling I'd rather have my 90 minutes back. The music is good though. Unrelated yet great tunes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzN6EMspLAU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27hoXMvVAKk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjFYv6crYik