Directed by Andy Muschietti
It’s probably expectations that get me a bit disappointed in the follow-up to one of 2017’s hit horror film ‘It.’Because knowing that the sequel is already planned before that was released and making it one of the most entertaining and a bit emotional horror movies I’ve seen, I really was expecting too much in ‘Chapter Two.’ I’m not saying that I thought it was bad, but there are some things that could have been lessen, and by that, I mean the running time. Some scenes were a bit too much it tries to be too nostalgic that it lost its connection to me as an audience.
‘IT Chapter Two’ is bigger but not better. It starts like how ‘The Avengers’ (2012) started when the heroes are being recruited by Black Widow and the agents of SHIELD. It was a decent opening, getting to know what our heroes or main characters have become and how they’re being called back to Derry. It felt big. That the danger is bigger and that there is urgency for these characters to go back and finish what they’ve started. And that’s one of the things I liked about the film.
But as the film progresses, it kind of can’t shake away from giving us a throwback. Not that it’s a bad way to keep the story move forward, it’s just with all these characters you need to focus on, you need to have a more engaging or in IT Chapter Two’s case, scarier sequences that fit smoothly for the audience to take it in smoothly as well. Those flashbacks are some of the reasons the film could’ve been made shorter. It’s not that those were unnecessary, it’s just they weren’t executed well enough to keep me glued to the screen.
But thanks to its perfect cast, you find other ways to be amazed by the film. How they chose the adult cast, how the adult cast are not just incredible actors but also look way like the young characters from the film’s predecessor. You might just feel okay seeing it on photos but when you watch the the film, there are just similarities that are jaw-dropping.
I had more fun in ‘It’ but ‘IT Chapter Two’ offers bigger stakes for the characters and even though they’ve grown, you’ll think that they can beat Pennywise easier now, but the film pretty much present that they can’t. It tries to go bigger and it is, but emotionally, even though it aims to be as each character has their own emotional journey, it fell a bit short on that area.
It’s a circus of fun and effective jump scares that’s enjoyable to watch. It’s bloodier than the first one but it’s also way longer and less scarier. Would I watch if there’s another Pennywise movie to be released in the future? Definitely yes. IT Chapter Two is a decent follow-up amid its shortcomings and lengthy running time.
3.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
‘IT Chapter Two’ is now showing in cinemas nationwide from Warner Bros. Pictures, also available in 4D and IMAX. Rated R-16 without cuts by the MTRCB.