IT: Chapter Two
3.5/4
Starring: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Bill Skarsgaard, Andy Bean
Rated R for Disturbing Violent Content and Bloody Images Throughout, Pervasive Language, and Some Crude Sexual Material
Note: I missed the first part of the opening credits and forgot about it until I wrote the review. While I strongly doubt I missed anything, I will catch up to it at some point.
The first installment of the two-part theatrical franchise of Stephen King's "IT" was released two years ago and became a surprise hit. Personally, I didn't think it was all that special because it didn't take the time to really develop the characters, especially when compared to the legendary miniseries released in 1990. I watched it again recently, and although some of my criticisms remain, I enjoyed it more than I remember. So the question is how does the climax fare? Quite well, in fact. It's a superior film in every way, and well worth the nearly three hour investment.
IT, the demonic creature that usually took the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Skarsgaard), has been defeated. Battered, bruised and scared out of their minds, the Losers Club makes a blood oath that, should IT come back, they will return for battle once more.
Twenty-seven years later, members of the Losers Club have parted ways, as people tend to do over the years. They have all forgotten about their life and death struggle with evil until Mike Hanscomb (Mustafa) tells them that IT has returned. Now, older and wiser, the seven members of the Losers Club must return home to face their greatest fear.
My main criticism with the first installment of "IT" was that it felt rushed. The story is as much a coming-of-age story as it is horror, and in the first film didn't get the balance right. Here, director Andy Muschietti takes his time. The members of the losers club are allowed to breathe and really engage each other rather than just scream and shout at each other (and IT, of course). "IT: Chapter Two" has been criticized for taking too long, and while that is a valid point, it's not as much of a problem as you might think for the second part of a horror movie.
It also helps that Muschietti has a stronger cast. The young members of part one lacked polish. Here, the cast includes the likes of Jessica Chastain (a universal favorite for the role), James McAvoy, and Bill Hader. They're more talented, charismatic and confident in front of the camera. More importantly, no one is phoning it in. Everyone gives it their all, and that makes the film pay off. Bill Hader is getting a lot of buzz for his performance, and it's earned, but for me, the one who sticks out most in my mind is Jay Ryan, who plays the adult Ben. As the chubby kid turned hunk who still carries a torch for Beverly, he's handsome and charming. Bill Skarsgaard returns as Pennywise, and he's just as sinister and creepy. Tim Curry would be proud.
One thing that really elevates the film is that it gives weight to the theme of confronting your past. Let's face it, nostalgia-filled coming-of-age stories have been done to death and it's hard to find a new wrinkle. But instead of wistful nostalgia, Muschietti gives it an atmosphere of fear. Here, the past is something to be feared because it can literally come back to kill you.
If you think about it, the entire story of "IT" is laughably silly. And Muschietti knows it. He creates a tone that allows for its scares and the themes of confronting one's past to stand out, but it also allows for laughs. Some scenes, such as the first part of the return dinner, are openly funny. Others are scare scenes that are so ridiculous that after you're done screaming, you giggle at yourself for getting scared by it. I won't give away spoilers, but there are some moments that defy description.
"IT: Chapter Two" is more than a fitting conclusion. It takes the strengths of the first part and amplifies them. Further, it doesn't forget to develop the heart of the film. That, more than anything, gives the film its power. I haven't had this much fun at the movies all year.
Starring: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Bill Skarsgaard, Andy Bean
Rated R for Disturbing Violent Content and Bloody Images Throughout, Pervasive Language, and Some Crude Sexual Material
Note: I missed the first part of the opening credits and forgot about it until I wrote the review. While I strongly doubt I missed anything, I will catch up to it at some point.
The first installment of the two-part theatrical franchise of Stephen King's "IT" was released two years ago and became a surprise hit. Personally, I didn't think it was all that special because it didn't take the time to really develop the characters, especially when compared to the legendary miniseries released in 1990. I watched it again recently, and although some of my criticisms remain, I enjoyed it more than I remember. So the question is how does the climax fare? Quite well, in fact. It's a superior film in every way, and well worth the nearly three hour investment.
IT, the demonic creature that usually took the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Skarsgaard), has been defeated. Battered, bruised and scared out of their minds, the Losers Club makes a blood oath that, should IT come back, they will return for battle once more.
Twenty-seven years later, members of the Losers Club have parted ways, as people tend to do over the years. They have all forgotten about their life and death struggle with evil until Mike Hanscomb (Mustafa) tells them that IT has returned. Now, older and wiser, the seven members of the Losers Club must return home to face their greatest fear.
My main criticism with the first installment of "IT" was that it felt rushed. The story is as much a coming-of-age story as it is horror, and in the first film didn't get the balance right. Here, director Andy Muschietti takes his time. The members of the losers club are allowed to breathe and really engage each other rather than just scream and shout at each other (and IT, of course). "IT: Chapter Two" has been criticized for taking too long, and while that is a valid point, it's not as much of a problem as you might think for the second part of a horror movie.
It also helps that Muschietti has a stronger cast. The young members of part one lacked polish. Here, the cast includes the likes of Jessica Chastain (a universal favorite for the role), James McAvoy, and Bill Hader. They're more talented, charismatic and confident in front of the camera. More importantly, no one is phoning it in. Everyone gives it their all, and that makes the film pay off. Bill Hader is getting a lot of buzz for his performance, and it's earned, but for me, the one who sticks out most in my mind is Jay Ryan, who plays the adult Ben. As the chubby kid turned hunk who still carries a torch for Beverly, he's handsome and charming. Bill Skarsgaard returns as Pennywise, and he's just as sinister and creepy. Tim Curry would be proud.
One thing that really elevates the film is that it gives weight to the theme of confronting your past. Let's face it, nostalgia-filled coming-of-age stories have been done to death and it's hard to find a new wrinkle. But instead of wistful nostalgia, Muschietti gives it an atmosphere of fear. Here, the past is something to be feared because it can literally come back to kill you.
If you think about it, the entire story of "IT" is laughably silly. And Muschietti knows it. He creates a tone that allows for its scares and the themes of confronting one's past to stand out, but it also allows for laughs. Some scenes, such as the first part of the return dinner, are openly funny. Others are scare scenes that are so ridiculous that after you're done screaming, you giggle at yourself for getting scared by it. I won't give away spoilers, but there are some moments that defy description.
"IT: Chapter Two" is more than a fitting conclusion. It takes the strengths of the first part and amplifies them. Further, it doesn't forget to develop the heart of the film. That, more than anything, gives the film its power. I haven't had this much fun at the movies all year.
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