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Movie Review: “It Chapter 2”

“It Chapter 2”

Release Date: September 6, 2019

Runtime: 169 mins

Directed by: Andy Muschetti 

Starring: Jessica Chastain

               James McAvoy

              Bill Hader

             Isaiah Mustafa

Some movies are a mixed bag for me. There are some things I really like and other things I really do not like. “It Chapter 2” is definitely one of those movies. 

“Chapter 2” does not really come together as well as the first film. While the first movie focused entirely on a group of kids in 1989 who have to deal with a mysterious threat to their town, this movie focuses on the adult versions of those characters in the present day as they try to defeat that threat once and for all; however, it also features substantial flashbacks. Because of this, the film starts to feel like it is retreading old ground at times. 

To be fair, this was more than likely done to make things less confusing for those who did not see the first movie. However, when the movie is just barely under the three-hour mark, I could not help but feel as if at least 15 minutes or so could have been shaved off without really taking anything important out of the movie.

Much like the first film, “Chapter 2” seems to have difficulties deciding what it wants to be. At times it wants to be a straight-up horror, other times a straight-up comedy, and still other times a character-driven drama. The drama and comedy actually work together quite well, but the horror aspects often feel out of place. 

I actually found myself laughing during most of the horror scenes. The cartoony CGI creatures look silly to me. For example, one of the main characters is visiting the apartment she grew up in. She finds her abusive father no longer lives there, and an old woman answers the door instead. They have some small talk, the old woman goes to get some cookies out of the oven, and, a few seconds later, comes running out as a goofy-looking, lanky, gray monster with crazy animated eyes and an absurd wailing cry. 

Even the iconic main antagonist, Pennywise the Clown, comes across as inherently goofy to me. Granted, clowns do not really scare me, but it really seems like the director does not view him as that scary either. In the buildup to a scene, you can see him in the background doing a weird dance or one of those over-the-top stealthy walks you might see on Scooby-Doo accompanied by a tinkling sound. Even when he is literally eating small children, I cannot take him seriously. 

I have no problem accepting the director may have intended for these scenes to have a comedic sense to them. Even if he did not, I would still enjoy them, just not for the reasons he wanted me to. However, the scenes that are more run-of-the-mill horror left me feeling bored. 

The movie has a great ensemble cast, each of whom seems perfectly matched to play the older versions of the kids from the first film. I buy them as old childhood friends, and it is really fun to see them interact. Their characters develop in interesting ways, and it makes for compelling drama. This is the real heart and soul of the movie. 

Unfortunately, this collides with the horror aspects in a few frustrating moments. For instance, a genuinely emotional moment near the end of the movie is interrupted by cutting away to a cartoon spider with a giant clown head. It felt like the plot sometimes got in the way of its characters. 

I might sound very critical in this review, but I actually enjoyed “It Chapter 2.” I am fairly certain almost anyone will find something to enjoy in “It” too. Maybe it is just worth waiting for it to come out on demand though, unless you are just dying to see it.

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