Directed by: Andy Muschietti
Starring: James McAvoy
Jessica Chastain
Bill Hader
Jay Ryan
Isaiah Mustafa
James Ransone
Andy Bean
and Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise
Novel: Stephen King
Rated: R
Run time: 169 minutes
(2019)
8/10 Would Recommend
The second chapter to 2017’s “IT” sees the Loser’s Club reunite in their hometown 27 years later to, once again, go toe to toe with Pennywise.
Who’s better, the kids or the adults? Without question, this is a star-power cast. Jessica Chastain’s Beverly and Bill Hader’s Mike are spitting images of their younger selves and all seven members of the main cast bring a lot to the table. Everyone in the Losers Club feel genuine; still, it’s not comparable. Both casts of the Losers Club seem like groups of people anybody would want to hang around: funny, curious, and good at heart. It’s simple: younger audiences are going to be able to identify better with the younger cast and vice versa.
There are a few twists and turns that make both chapters worth it and something to look forward to for fans of the horror genre, and adventure. Pennywise is the same Pennywise as IT was in the first film; only IT’s presence seemed a little more absent this time around. The famous clown that snatched up Georgie on that rainy day in Derry is still just as scary as IT once was; and sometimes, the things IT does and changes in to are so ridiculous that you can’t help but laugh. While Pennywise will certainly grab audience’s attention, some of his frightening appearance will feel a bit repetitive. Some things were changed from the original film and some things were changed from the book, but one of the things that doesn’t change is that the clown scares the protagonists. We get it. He did it seven times in the first film and he did seven times again. It’s not a problem; it’s what we want to see. Only, in order for the gimmick not to ware off, it needs to be something so different about each character’s encounter with the clown that it makes us feel like we didn’t watch the same thing seven times.
Sorry kids, you weren’t needed. “IT Chapter Two” is the second half to an unfinished story. It’s based on one book with two, clear, sections; but it’s one complete story. Like the made-for-T.V. 90s movie, viewers are supposed to marathon both halves. Because of this, all cut and paste scenes of the Losers Club from the first film weren’t needed. With the couple of years that’ve past since the first films release, it’s nice to have those refreshers; but they feel unnecessary if you jump straight from the first one into the sequel. About 30 minutes of the film could’ve been scrapped altogether, but if you want as much detail about these characters’ lives as you can get, the film comes through.
There’s a lot going on in this second chapter, and, like the first film, our favorite characters each take a different detour; some that put you on edge, some that make you laugh, and some that’ll make you yawn. For a film that pushes the three-hour mark, some stories could’ve been shortened. Where the film strives, however, is its character development. Jay Ryan and James Ransone’s portrayal of Ben and Eddie, added more depth and gave new layers to the characters from the first film. The beauty of the Losers Club is that no one character is in the spotlight; everyone get’s their moment to shine, and “IT Chapter Two” expands upon their arcs in new, fun, strange and terrifying ways.
The best part about the film is that it knew what it wants to be. It’s an over-the-top, in your face kind of scare; that’s meant to make crowds roar with an uncomfortable laughter after the fact. Some actors shined over others and with a blockbuster budget, the direction was some of the best there is in the genre. Both films compliment each other, but your still able to enjoy the second chapter having not seen the original. Eyes may dart from the T.V. to the clock from time to time, but back to back, both films are bound to entertain families at home during the Halloween season.
The Film Section 