In 2017, “It: Chapter 1,” based on the novel by Stephen King, opened worldwide in many theaters. The film earned positive reviews from critics and movie goers alike. Bill Skarsgård earned praise for his performance as Pennywise The Dancing Clown, who’s the primary antagonist of the book and film. A sequel titled, “It: Chapter 2,” follows “The Losers Club” as adults who reunite together to defeat their sworn enemy once and for all.
It: Chapter 2 is currently out in theaters worldwide. The follow up earned mixed to positive reviews from critics, movie goers and fans of Stephen King. So far, the second chapter is making money at the box office.
Besides It: Chapter 2, “Doctor Sleep,” a sequel to “The Shining,” will be out this November with Ewan McGregor portraying an adult version of Danny Torrence, he’s Jack Torrence’s son. Bill Skarsgård’s older brother Alexander, will portray Randall Flagg (who was originally Matthew McConaughey in The Dark Tower) in a mini-series called, “The Stand” streaming on “CBS All Access.”
Today’s review doesn’t contain any huge SPOILERS. If you haven’t read the book or didn’t get caught up watching the first film, feel free to read my non-spoiler article.
Positive & Negative Elements
Positive: Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise The Dancing Clown. He did an excellent job for his respective performance as the main antagonist. His take as Pennywise reminded me of “Beetlejuice,” Scooby-Doo & Heath Ledger’s Joker rolled into one.
James McAcoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Isaiah Mustafa & Andy Bean all did a fantastic job for their respective performances as the older versions of The Losers Club. Bill on the other hand, was surprisingly good as Richie shifting between seriousness and comedy.
Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard, Sophia Lilies, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Jack Dylan Grazer & Wyatt Oleff reprise their roles as younger versions of The Losers Club. They all did an amazing job for their respective performances.
Andy Muschietti returned to direct the sequel. He did a decent job directing.
Screenwriter, Gary Dauberman, (The Conjuring series) who wrote It: Chapter 1, managed to stay true to the book’s source material. Tim Curry’s version was loosely based on the book. The new version did some changes to avoid making the Scare Factor look silly.
Film producer, Dan Lin (The Lego Movie series, Sherlock Holmes 2009) also returned to produce the sequel.
Cinematography didn’t suffer from any technical difficulties throughout.
Prosthetic Makeup was applied to Bill Skarsgård, transforming him into Pennywise.
C.G.I. & Practical Effects were heavily used to bring Pennywise’s forms and body movement to life. My favorite form is the old lady. You know the sweet old grandma from the trailer?
Scare Factor felt legit and not as cheesy as Tim Curry’s It. I’m relieved no jump scares weren’t heavily used.
Death Scenes are very brutal. It doesn’t cut to a scene immediately or showing a person reacting in disgust. If I were you, be prepared, because blood is gonna be all over the place like a gallon of Kool-Aid spreading across the kitchen floor.
Although this sequel is labeled as a dark horror film, Humor has some funny moments by Bill Hader’s delivery.
Flashbacks are shown with The Losers Club as kids.
The second film takes place 27 Years Later. The first one was set in 1989 & the second one is set in 2016.
Chemistry between the adult & kid versions of The Losers Club felt organic. Every time you seen them on camera, you care about them as relatable to a specific viewer.
Like the first film, the Opening Scene is described in one word, “Unapologetic.” What you’re about to see is gonna be one heck of a blood bath. So be prepared!
We get some context about Pennywise’s background. I can’t tell you everything about him, you’ll have to see for yourself.
Like the television two-parter starring Tim Curry, the second film takes place after the first film with the adult versions of The Losers Club reuniting after a recent murder puts them back home to investigate Pennywise’s whereabouts and attempt to finish him once and for all without turning back.
Without giving too much away, a character has a personal hidden depth linked to his close friend. If you’re an obnoxious homophobic douchebag like Puck from “The Real World: San Francisco,” show some tolerance.
A familiar song from “Deadpool” is played in the background.
One character makes a reference to “The Shining.” Doctor Sleep will be out this November. Don’t forget to mark your calendar.
Stephen King & Peter Bogdanovich make cameo appearances.
Negative: Although the tone for the sequel is darker and scarier, sometimes the atmosphere changes into a comedic moment belonging in a a scene from Beetlejuice.
Scare Factor felt limited, as the second chapter is all about The Losers Club confronting Pennywise.
Stephen King’s tropes found from his books were less in your face like pies splattered in one’s head. Each trope didn’t felt formulaic.
The Final Verdict: B, FOR BRIGHTER!
In my opinion, It: Chapter 2 is a decent finale tying up loose ends from It: Chapter 1. The Cast all did a fantastic job as older and younger versions of The Losers Club, especially Bill Hader, Bill Skarsgård delivers a terrifying presence to scare movie goers right outta their pants, the source material remains faithful yet changed to avoid dumb moments depicted in the 1990 version & the chemistry felt emotional. If you’re interested in seeing the grand finale, I highly recommend this movie.
Pennywise ain’t the only clown on the big screen, Joker is coming to put a smile on everybody’s face next month.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 