Trainspotting 2: the visual wealth

It is always a tough challenge to release a sequel. The original creation is unique, unforgettable. And it is especially difficult in the case of Trainspotting as it was an important milestone in pop culture. Its vibe affected not only the movie industry, but also visual arts.

Boyle takes same actors at their fourth decade, same stage (Edinburg) and is willing to re-create this buzz! It is quite a mission, isn’t it?

Ignore the official promotion: neither the poster nor the trailer preview what you about to see. It isn’t as dramatic and serious as in the black-white poster below.

Rather you about to see very colorful and surrealistic picture, full of irregular filming techniques and witness original points of view on friendship, family, love and finally life.

Photography

The sequel is full of photographic frames that are rich in terms of composition and quality. Deep closeups express the character’s emotional states better than any words.

While the world in Trainspotting 2 isn’t that bad. At least, in between, we spot some very powerful frames.

Colors

Boyle uses practically all possible color combinations while keeping the picture well balanced. There are purely red, blue, green and yellow scenes easily switched back into natural lightened atmosphere. Similar to refrain these pauses enrich the movie making it multi-dimensional.

Bottom Line

The movie is ver colorful, surprising and dynamic. You aren’t bored for a single moment. Each narrative goes through transformation making you wonder.

The story is linked with events that took place 20 years ago and characters meet again. But this time they are not same teenagers seeking for some fun, drugs and sex. They are grown people thrilled by natural needs and unanswered questions.

It is a smart surrealistic poem about the western culture of the 2nd decade. It compares ethic values of nowadays with those twenty years ago showing that nothing really change. Only people do.