Where to watch It: Chapter Two
2 1/2 Stars
It: Chapter Two is an oversized return to the deary town of Derry, Maine. At nearly three hours in length, the epic-sized horror film is about 45 minutes too long. This is a talky, depressing, and sometimes exhilarating conclusion to the smash hit based on novelist Stephen King’s 1986 best-seller. Chapter Two is more episodic and meandering than its predecessor. The first act contains three long sequences that stop the film’s momentum and an over-reliance on humor steals some of the picture’s heat. However, director Andy has conceived and concocted some truly striking images and passages that briefly elevate the film into art. The dueling tones and endurance testing running time make for an uneasy and unpleasant way to spend 170 minutes.
When the children begin to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine, again. The now grown adults of “the loser’s club” must return home to confront their biggest fears when they square off against an evil clown named Pennywise, whose history of murder and violence dates back for centuries. If the “Losers” don’t abolish Pennywise then their lives and the lives of the future children of Derry, Maine will forever be cursed.
As I stumbled out of the theater after the screening I was drained and slightly depressed. The film has dug up the same worn-out feeling that accompanied my first viewing of Aliens. So, perhaps It did its job. But if that was its intention then mission accomplished. But after having spent over five hours with the ordeal of Pennywise and the folks of Derry, these are two films I never want to revisit. Good casting choices make for believable adult representations of their younger counterparts. Bill Hader steals the movie while stars James McAvoy and Jessica are curiously underwhelming.
Director Andy Muschietti
Stars: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean, Bill Skarsgård