In total, yes. IT: Chapter 2 was, definitely, worth the wait. It’s also worth sitting for the entire 3 hours of film, (plus previews). So, Run, don’t walk, to your nearest movie establishment. Don’t even finish reading this post. Just go, right now!
You’re still here? So, I have to finish writing this post now? Fine. If you are still here:
SPOILERS are sneaking about.
There’s one right behind you!
In my review of the first chapter of IT, I compared the new IT to the older, TV version of the story. I won’t bother doing that here. Why beat a decomposing horse? I will compare it, at least, a little, to chapter 1. I will say, however, that this, newer version told more of the origins of the IT creature than the older one. Some might argue that some of the mystery was removed when more of the origin was revealed. I would argue that more mystery is removed when you realize that IT is just 3 swirling orbs of light.
What makes this version better than the TV one, as I may have mentioned in my other review, (where’s that horse…?), is the level of creepiness. Even when Pennywise isn’t showing his mouth full of jagged fangs, he is quite creepy. I don’t think I would be approaching this guy even at a carnival or a circus. The fangs just take the mood to the next level.
The premise of the movie, and the book, is that, after 27 years, the Losers group has to come back to Derry, Maine to finish what they started in the first film, and IT knows it. In fact, he invites them by making his presence known when he takes a bite out of a 20-year old and leaves a message behind. Every one of the Losers has a guttural response to the dreaded phone call drawing them back.
Once back, Mike, the Loser who stayed behind in Derry, reveals how they can go about capturing IT using an ancient Native American ritual that, of course, goes awry. As part of this ritual, each member of the group has to retrieve an artifact from his/her past and pay some psychological price to let go of it. Each one of them faces the creepiest version of IT that scares them the most. After which, they face the demonic creature at its lair.
My only real problem with this movie was I, actually, wanted more origin explanation. The film explained what IT was and where it came from, but only hinted at the origins of Pennywise, who was a circus clown from the late 1800s or so. I wanted them to explain why IT likes to take the form of Pennywise. That considered, IT was still a great movie. While it did use a fair amount of jumpscares, it, also, used psychological elements to heighten the experience. I give this movie 8 🎃🎃🎃 out of 10. I’ll watch it again some time… maybe at Halloween.
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