‘It: Chapter Two’ Review: “A Wonderful King Adaptation That Keeps Fear Alive”

When you read a story, you want everything to connect. Some stories rely heavily on their beginning to finish their end. Then, there are some stories that completely ignore their origins, and end up completely ruined. It: Chapter 2 has found a way to create a satisfying conclusion without diminishing the previous events. The film never strays away from the story and focuses on the Loser’s Club goal from one year ago, killing that ******* clown. The 2017 adaptation of It (reviewed here) establishes this film quite perfectly and does not miss a beat. This film has more Pennywise than one can handle and packs a punch because of it. If you love reunions, revenge, killer clowns (from outer space) and death, then It: Chapter 2 is something you should go see.

The film follows our beloved Loser’s Club 27 years later, all of whom have grown to be successful just as Pennywise told them they would. They’ve forgotten about Derry and are living wealthy lives. The only one that never left Derry was Mike Hanlin. He’s stayed, waited, and studied ways to defeat Pennywise. He’s become a loner just as he was before. Bad things have started happening in Derry again though. Pennywise has returned and he’s wreaking havoc. Thus, Mike must gather the Loser’s Club again for one final battle. They made a promise and he made them stick to that promise.

Pennywise continues his torturous and heinous acts. Mike has figured out a way to defeat the evil clown and needs all the losers to join. He gathers them and the new adventure begins. They each run into Pennywise in a different form, and he torments them. Along the way, each loser finds themselves on this journey. Bill, Richie, Eddie, Ben, Mike, Beverly, and Stanley must take on Pennywise again and save Derry for good.

This film is very intense from the opening scene, which I highly feel is distasteful. After the opening, things pick up insanely. Yes, the film mirrors It (2017), but it also takes its own course. The film feeds off of the first movie, but not in a sense where it becomes predictable. It feeds off of it to show you how the present relates to the past. The interactions between the children and Pennywise in this film is amazing. Bill Skarsgård once again gives a fantastic performance. In addition, James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Isaiah Mustafa, Bill Hader, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, and Andy Bean give terrific work.

Much like It (2017), the cast feeds off each other in this movie. The chemistry that has been allotted is so effective you’d think these actors were long-time friends in real life. The children all are very convincing in their scenes throughout the film. Gary Dauberman has written a spot-on screenplay filled with fear. The film does have the new and overused jump scares, but it has real fearful moments. Pennywise is known to torment you before killing you. He plays tricks and creates anxiety to feast on your fear. This was done well throughout both films, but especially in It: Chapter Two. Again, Skarsgård is magnificent as Pennywise. He ups his games tenfold and it’s beautiful to watch. The art of creating pure terror in a film is dying and few directors are keeping this alive.

The mythology of It in this film is one of beauty. It makes you want a prequel of where It comes from and how he found the form of Pennywise. The mythology is one of the most intriguing things about this film. For most, demonic entities come from hell, and for some, it’s outer space. The case for Pennywise if you’ve never read the book or seen the original miniseries leaves you curious. The way that it is done and created really is intriguing. You don’t ever feel sorry for Pennywise, you just become curious as to why he’s on Earth and how he came to be a clown.

My overall thoughts are simple: I love Andrés Muschietti’s It series. The film gives me everything I could want for this series. I loved Skarsgard’s portrayal of Pennywise, the children actors and the adults are spot-on. The number of fearful building moments that are created to the script is amazing. I applaud the entire cast and crew on creating something so terrifying yet magical. Besides my one complaint about the film’s opening, I have no other arguments. This is a series that will live on. Stephen King has given us many masterpieces that are now movies, this is one of the best.

Rating: 8/10

How did you feel about the film? Do you agree or disagree with the rating? Comment below and give us your thoughts!

It: Chapter Two stars James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, and Bill Skarsgård and is floating in a theater near you!