Upon re watching IT: Chapter One, which thrilled me to no end in theatres, unfortunately didn’t thrill me at all re watching at home. All the scares I anticipated too much this time and the obvious set pieces became even more obvious. Mike is needless replaced by Ben as the town historian and the heart felt moments didn’t seem as heart felt as they once did, not to mention that “creepy” old house that looks like a Spirit Halloween prop.
Upon watching IT: Chapter Two, I came to realize as I’ve always believed, things are scarier and more entertaining with adult protagonists.
The Loser’s Club is all grown up and Andy Muschietti sets the stage with Pennywise the dancing clown 27 years later, for an awkwardly directed, bizarrely jam packed, CGI abused, most Stephen King-esque horror adventure that’s ever been put to film in a while.
IT: Chapter Two takes inspiration when needed and properly sets up comedic elements to remind us of the comedic excitement of the first chapter and then some. The film makes use of Bill Hader as Richie and James Ransone as Eddie, who give us many thrillingly funny moments which brilliantly comment on the films weird plot points and Mike’s sometimes extraneous exposition, even though their comedic timing relies heavily on the use of “FUCK”. The adult cast though, is perfect, each cast member reflecting on their child counter part which works well with many constant childhood flashbacks, and the adult cast giving their all to the performances, making us believe in them when we need to. And once again Bill Hader and James Ransone give emotional relevance that absolutely makes this film.
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise has more to do but weirdly feels subdued at points, but that just makes room for different kinds of horror to happen but more involved dialogue from Pennywise would of been great.
Many negatives haunt the film as expected but one would wish these could be avoided. Such as; use of CGI when not needed, the horrendous CGI of the child actors in flashbacks, the casting of adult Beverly with Jessica Chastain, as it should of been Amy Adams, seeing Amy Adams has played adult Sophia Lillis before, in HBO’s Sharp Objects and can handle emotional reflecting way better. The film is awkwardly edited which takes you out of the film quite a few times. The staging of the Bill, Ben and Beverly love stage feels forced and soap opera-esque. The films dialogue could have used more creativity during horror scenes besides screaming “NOOOOO!!!!” at every chance. And again, the film relies on “SHIT” and “FUCK” too give us thrills. Beyond that the films score is a little too predictable and child like to invoke fear, a Carpenter-esque score would have worked better to create a real horror tone.
As an important note, IT: Chapter Two isn’t afraid of depicting gay characters (even if those moments and characters have a tragic end), and as a mainstream movie this is commendable, as we don’t see gay depictions as an everyday thing in mainstream films as often as we should. I also appreciated a black horror lead in adult Mike well acted by Isaiah Mustafa. He guided the story and gave the exposition, began and ended the film, and wasn’t a stereotype or shy of expressing sadness and love for others as a black male character in a mainstream horror film. IT: Chapter Two also shows many instances of male to male love and friendship and images of the male body as just what it is, a body. Also, the film being set in 2016 (27 years from 1989), the vulgarities of what people said then before awareness of fat-shaming and Me Too isn’t hidden away from, and really puts into perspective how times can change so quickly and importantly.
IT: Chapter Two presents more much needed real-world violence and grand images for thrills, with self aware big swings that give us a very Stephen King horror experience. With many laughs, a great and talented cast, and good heart felt intentions behind it all. That’s all we can ask for in a horror movie, let alone any movie. 9/10.
- Maurice Jones
