There’s a lot of scary stuff in ‘It: Chapter Two’. Creepy clowns. Buckets of blood.
…the running time.
But more on the frighteningly numb butt you’ll inevitably experience sitting through this marathon in a bit. ‘It: Chapter Two’ is a passable sequel, but certainly not a masterpiece of a film. I say that because those who have been waiting breathlessly for this since 2017’s Chapter One will likely eat it up. Those who didn’t exactly love ‘It’….meh, not so much.
Picking up 27 years after the horrific events of the first movie, ‘Chapter Two’ finds Mike Hanson (Isaiah Mustafa) still living in Derry, Maine. When it becomes evident that Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard) is back and up to his old killer clown tricks, he gets the band back together – his childhood pals, the Losers’ Club. Enter Richie (Bill Hader), Bill (James McAvoy), Beverly (Jessica Chastain), Ben (Jay Ryan) and Eddie (James Ransone), with the final member of the group, Stanley (Andy Bean), having committed suicide.
Sure, there’s a plan in place to beat the clown once and for all. But it becomes all too clear, and pretty early on…..that the gang might have to die trying.
I like the concept of catching up with these once-troubled kids and seeing if the numerous anxieties continue to haunt them…and after what they went through the first time, why WOULDN’T they?…but through Gary Dauberman’s script, less time is devoted to the adult characters and their many emotional hurdles. Thus, ‘It: Chapter Two’ is less an exploration on overcoming not only ghastly monsters, but everyday horrors of the world – and more a platform for a lot of “boo!” moments and gore. And did I mention it’s a long trip to get there?….169-minutes.
Like the first film, ‘Chapter Two’ IS a visual stunner….while there probably aren’t as many memorable images that stay with you this time around, director Andy Muschetti develops a chilling mood with the overall look of Derry. Oh, and Bill Skarsgard is still the creepiest clown around. At least, until Joaquin Phoenix hits town in October.
