IT Chapter Two Review

[JohnWayne92 2,148]

So, I love writing reviews on films, and I usually post spoiler free reviews on my social media. I know that a lot of you guys hate spoilers as much as I do, so I wanted to share this here for you. I wrote this quick review this morning.

 

It's been 2 years since the blockbuster horror film, IT graced the screen at your local theater. The anticipation for the 2nd Chapter has been building ever since, and today it is finally here.

 

Of course, this will be a short, spoiler free review of IT Chapter 2. You know I dont like to ruin things

 

I'm gonna break this down into a few things to make this easier. Is it scary? The run time 👀 Hows the acting. I'll touch on more things within those, but, like I said, short and spoiler free review.

 

If IT Chapter 1 scared you, then yes, this is scary. Personally, IT didnt scare me the first time, and I jumped I think twice. This time around, it held that same atmosphere that the first one did, creepy, some what nostalgic and humourous. Bill Skarsgard does amazingly, once again, as Pennywise. The scares are very similar to the first film, but have been dialed up to a full 10 here in the sequel. I don't necessarily mean that they are scarier, as they just FULLY go there this time around and do so quite frequently. I jumped a lot more in this film then I did in the first.

 

IT Chapter 2 has an impressive runtime of 2 hours and 50 minutes. For a lot of people, that number seems scarier than Pennywise himself. For me, someone who is fully invested in not only this universe, but other films that dare to push their runtime to same "extremes," I didnt see this as a problem. It excited me more than anything. With films like Titanic, Avengers, Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and even the norm of binge watching your favorite Netflix series (I'm looking at you, Stranger Things 👀) I dont quite understand why a lengthy runtime is off putting to some people. I've even seen the critics complaining about it. Personally, I didnt feel like I watched a 3 hour film. There was never a point where it lulled, for me. I was 100% invested in the story and characters and not once was I bored.

 

The acting here, to NO ONES surprise with a cast like this, is amazing. Firstly, acting aside, the cast choices based solely on the fact that they look like these kids grown up is amazing. Also, for a lot of it, it feels like these actors took the time to actually learn how these kids portrayed their younger selves and embraced it, adding it into their performances. Every member of the Losers Club does an outstanding job with their performances. I've seen many of reviews saying that Bill Hader steals the show, and while I agree that his performance was flawless, a lot of it is based in comedy. For me, the MVP is Jessica Chastain, but since she has been such an amazing actress, it's being looked over, as we have come to expect these things from her.

 

I just mentioned comedy, when talking about Bill hader, and I definitely need to touch on that as well. IT has done a great job of knowing when to mix humor into it's dark tones. Both films have done it flawlessly, in my opinion, making it a part of the overall experience, instead of relying on it to keep the audience interested or lighten the mood when necessary. These adults, displaying humor in these terrifying situations, feels authentic, and never forced. My issue isnt with the films humor, but how the general audience cant differentiate something that is creepy and unsettling when compared to something that was put in there to make you laugh. I said no spoilers, so I wont touch these moments, but in a full theater, I'm sure you will experience them for yourself. I think it's a critique on the fact that a lot of people dont like to fully comprehend their emotions, and lack the ability to dive into them so quickly after just jumping into another pool that was filled with a different emotion. It's also a defense mechanism for many people, who would rather find comedy in something instead of allowing it to actually bother them on any level of actual fear. So, take that as you will.

 

At the end of it, IT Chapter 2 ends up being another fantastical exploration of the Losers Club and the evil of Pennywise. Its outlandish, silly, scary, funny and emotional. By the end of this film, which is full of beautiful horror imagery, I walked away thinking, this was Epic Horror. It wasn't something that traumatized me, but it was a full, immersive experience from the beginning of IT Chapter 1 to the end of Chapter 2. I hope it opens doors for more films to step out in the same light. Horror doesnt have to be on the level of The Exorcist to be epic, and even then, that isnt the kind of epic I'm referring to. I'm talking about a fully realized story arch that took the time to dive into its characters and plot, and by the end you're blown away by the end result.

 

As always, I recommend this being seen in IMAX if you have a real IMAX theatre near you.

[Hurem 17,800]

It: Chapter Two said gay rights.

[Alphaz 7,956]

It's better than the first one and darker. The first one looked like a comedy.

[JohnWayne92 2,148]

6 minutes ago, Hurem said:

It: Chapter Two said gay rights.

It really did

[lordgagx 5,466]

I absolutely loved every minute of it, I might watch it a second time in IMAX.

[Cody James 1,496]

47 minutes ago, JohnWayne92 said:

So, I love writing reviews on films, and I usually post spoiler free reviews on my social media. I know that a lot of you guys hate spoilers as much as I do, so I wanted to share this here for you. I wrote this quick review this morning.

 

It's been 2 years since the blockbuster horror film, IT graced the screen at your local theater. The anticipation for the 2nd Chapter has been building ever since, and today it is finally here.

 

Of course, this will be a short, spoiler free review of IT Chapter 2. You know I dont like to ruin things

 

I'm gonna break this down into a few things to make this easier. Is it scary? The run time 👀 Hows the acting. I'll touch on more things within those, but, like I said, short and spoiler free review.

 

If IT Chapter 1 scared you, then yes, this is scary. Personally, IT didnt scare me the first time, and I jumped I think twice. This time around, it held that same atmosphere that the first one did, creepy, some what nostalgic and humourous. Bill Skarsgard does amazingly, once again, as Pennywise. The scares are very similar to the first film, but have been dialed up to a full 10 here in the sequel. I don't necessarily mean that they are scarier, as they just FULLY go there this time around and do so quite frequently. I jumped a lot more in this film then I did in the first.

 

IT Chapter 2 has an impressive runtime of 2 hours and 50 minutes. For a lot of people, that number seems scarier than Pennywise himself. For me, someone who is fully invested in not only this universe, but other films that dare to push their runtime to same "extremes," I didnt see this as a problem. It excited me more than anything. With films like Titanic, Avengers, Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and even the norm of binge watching your favorite Netflix series (I'm looking at you, Stranger Things 👀) I dont quite understand why a lengthy runtime is off putting to some people. I've even seen the critics complaining about it. Personally, I didnt feel like I watched a 3 hour film. There was never a point where it lulled, for me. I was 100% invested in the story and characters and not once was I bored.

 

The acting here, to NO ONES surprise with a cast like this, is amazing. Firstly, acting aside, the cast choices based solely on the fact that they look like these kids grown up is amazing. Also, for a lot of it, it feels like these actors took the time to actually learn how these kids portrayed their younger selves and embraced it, adding it into their performances. Every member of the Losers Club does an outstanding job with their performances. I've seen many of reviews saying that Bill Hader steals the show, and while I agree that his performance was flawless, a lot of it is based in comedy. For me, the MVP is Jessica Chastain, but since she has been such an amazing actress, it's being looked over, as we have come to expect these things from her.

 

I just mentioned comedy, when talking about Bill hader, and I definitely need to touch on that as well. IT has done a great job of knowing when to mix humor into it's dark tones. Both films have done it flawlessly, in my opinion, making it a part of the overall experience, instead of relying on it to keep the audience interested or lighten the mood when necessary. These adults, displaying humor in these terrifying situations, feels authentic, and never forced. My issue isnt with the films humor, but how the general audience cant differentiate something that is creepy and unsettling when compared to something that was put in there to make you laugh. I said no spoilers, so I wont touch these moments, but in a full theater, I'm sure you will experience them for yourself. I think it's a critique on the fact that a lot of people dont like to fully comprehend their emotions, and lack the ability to dive into them so quickly after just jumping into another pool that was filled with a different emotion. It's also a defense mechanism for many people, who would rather find comedy in something instead of allowing it to actually bother them on any level of actual fear. So, take that as you will.

 

At the end of it, IT Chapter 2 ends up being another fantastical exploration of the Losers Club and the evil of Pennywise. Its outlandish, silly, scary, funny and emotional. By the end of this film, which is full of beautiful horror imagery, I walked away thinking, this was Epic Horror. It wasn't something that traumatized me, but it was a full, immersive experience from the beginning of IT Chapter 1 to the end of Chapter 2. I hope it opens doors for more films to step out in the same light. Horror doesnt have to be on the level of The Exorcist to be epic, and even then, that isnt the kind of epic I'm referring to. I'm talking about a fully realized story arch that took the time to dive into its characters and plot, and by the end you're blown away by the end result.

 

As always, I recommend this being seen in IMAX if you have a real IMAX theatre near you.

Great review. I only felt disgust for the opening scene. Was so raw and real, yet a reality we can all on GGDrelate with in terms of fear. 

[hpmcmill 1,979]

Saw it last night - loved it. 

[JohnWayne92 2,148]

27 minutes ago, Cody James said:

Great review. I only felt disgust for the opening scene. Was so raw and real, yet a reality we can all on GGDrelate with in terms of fear. 

Yes, the opening scene definitely made me feel uncomfortable. It was incredibly real. 

[JohnWayne92 2,148]

12 minutes ago, hpmcmill said:

Saw it last night - loved it. 

It was really good. I cant wait to watch the films as one film

[JohnWayne92 2,148]

32 minutes ago, lordgagx said:

I absolutely loved every minute of it, I might watch it a second time in IMAX.

We are wanting to see it again in 4DX

[Hurem 17,800]

34 minutes ago, lordgagx said:

I absolutely loved every minute of it, I might watch it a second time in IMAX.

Dad serving taste.  

[Flippy 12,368]

Saw it last night as well, (7:00PM show on AMC IMAX) and OH MY GOD!

SO GOOD!

[GagaMariaSpears 1,627]

The first It and the miniseries are my favorite movies so I'm so excited to see this one 

[JohnWayne92 2,148]

Just now, GagaMariaSpears said:

The first It and the miniseries are my favorite movies so I'm so excited to see this one 

I think you'll really like it. 

[JohnWayne92 2,148]

5 minutes ago, Flippy said:

Saw it last night as well, (7:00PM show on AMC IMAX) and OH MY GOD!

SO GOOD!

Yas! 

So, they didnt release Halloween in IMAX where I'm at. I'm hoping they release Halloween Kills in IMAX this time.