It: Chapter Two

A weird thing happened back in 2017 with the original It. 

Someone who's previously never really been into horror films gave that film a much deserved 9.5/10 and it ended up ranking somewhere in the middle on my Top 10 list for the year. 

It was truly a blockbuster horror film with tons of laughs, a wonderful cast, strong source material, and a villain that was instantly iconic with his redesign. Looking back, it was also a well made film with memorable cinematography and original score.

As the credits rolled on that one and you know there will be a "Chapter 2" (the book is thick AF, so it makes sense), it immediately shot high on my "most anticipated" list. More of what the first film was producing for an adults vs. Pennywise battle would be awesome. 

And It: Chapter Two is awesome but - much to my own bummer - decidedly less so than the original. By no means does that mean it's not worth seeing if you're invested, but I'm more guessing that it won't have quite the same effect on people as the first one did. 

It: Chapter Two is a continuation of the same story of the first. 27 years after those events, the killings in Derry start happening again with a shockingly violent and disturbing intro. The Losers are called back by Mike (Isaiah Mustafa, yes, the Old Spice guy) and they discover, as their memories of their childhood return, that they'd forgotten all about their time in Derry. They must remember what they can and perform an ancient ritual to defeat "it" once and for all. Given where the first left off, this totally makes sense and fans of the book should know there are considerable differences here, just like there were with the first. Given how overlong and weird the book sometimes got, it's not the biggest deal, but the film is also overlong too. It's a fast-ish nearly 3 hour watch (certainly not as fast as the other 3 hour film we got this year), but it tends to drag in the final act and there are areas in post viewing where you realize they could have cut or trimmed a decent amount. 

Yep. Still a whole lot of "nope!"

Being honest though, it wasn't the length that bothered me all that much, but rather the fact that this film felt slightly more like generic horror than its special predecessor. There were times it reminded me more of director Andy Muschietti's very average horror film, Mama, than it did of it's incredible original chapter. In many ways, It: Chapter 2 seems cheaper-made with lots of CG creatures, some impatient editing, lack of consistent, strong cinematography, and distinctly lesser tone. Simply put, it just doesn't quite have the same magic as the first film and a big reason for that is the technical aspects of how the film was made. 

There's also the odd decision to not feature Pennywise all that heavily which I believe is the most significant detriment. In the first there was dread that he was around every corner and would routinely come out in the open. In Chapter Two he seems more pushed to the sidelines in favor of CGI creatures that he uses based on the Losers' fears. It's an odd decision because this version of Pennywise, old clown costume, flaming red hair, and intricate face makeup and all is terrifying in its own right and actor Bill Skarsgard has elevated the character to something much creepier and disturbing than perhaps he was even in the novel. Why not double down on that? The scenes where the film does feature Pennywise, aside from a CGI-heavy "battle" ending, are once more able to capture the sense of dread and anticipation from the original and easily the film's highlights. 

Shocking how well cast these adults are based off their children versions

Double nope! Double nope!

This all isn't to say that It:Chapter Two sucks. Quite contrarily, the point I'm trying to make is that, despite the fact it's longer by about an hour, it's lesser in what the first film did so effectively. But it still does things well. For starters, the cast is incredible, especially when you see how they relate back to the children they're representing. McAvoy, Chastain, Hader and more are all strong picks and there's not really a weak link. Hader gets most of the comedic relief as a grown up Richie (this film isn't as funny as the first either, but close) though I'm not quite sure why he's in "Oscar talk" for this role when the stuff he's doing over on HBO's Barry is eons more impressive from an acting perspective. As mentioned, Skarsgard - when he is actually on screen - is mesmerizing once again. His Pennywise is manipulative, vicious, and deranged and it's often one of those moments in horror where you want to look away but you can't, adding to the "fun" anxiety of it all.

And yes, It: Chapter 2 still remains scary. The final act turns into a cliched battle and the scare effectiveness goes out the door with it, but up until that point there are some truly terrifying sequences that build anticipation well to earn some of the jump scares you'll have. In particular a segment of the film in which the losers must split up to "face their past" leads to some individually catered moments of fear that work well because there's ample tension and lots more Pennywise. 

You could say I'm disappointed in It: Chapter 2, but I'm really not because I think it was obvious how much the formula would need to change for the final act. Instead, I'm grateful that the first is still probably one of the best (and one of my favorite) horror films I've seen while doing Rath's Reviews and recognizing that while the second is just a generally lesser film, it doesn't ruin anything other than just being less effective on its own. 

CONS

• Too long and doesn't really earn it. Could have been 15-20 minutes shorter
• Not as technically proficient as the first. The editing, cinematography, and tone feel more phoned in than before
• Third act is a generic CGI battle
• Some of the CGI creatures don't work all that well; shocking lack of Pennywise during these moments when he's the most effective scare of the entire thing
• Handful of poorly timed humor
• Similar reasons that I didn't like parts of the book (e.g. a mythology that comes out of nowhere)

PROS

• A good blend of humor, scares, and some heart
• Well-cast adult versions of the Losers club. Everyone does their part, but no Bill Hader should not be in Oscar talk (because he should be in Emmy talk for Barry and winning for it...)
• Fun humor throughout
• Skarsgard's Pennywise remains iconic and still gives me the heebie-jeebies. Incredibly effective and produces the film's best, most memorable, and scariest scenes
• Worthwhile way to wrap up the story for the many of us that became invested after the first film

Rath's Review Score | 7.5/10