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IT: Chapter 2 Review: James McAvoy, Bill Hader & Jessica Chastain's film is twice as scary and entertaining
IT: Chapter 2 Review: Andy Muschietti's direction and influence over the theatre audience (along with Gary Dauberman's screenplay) is reminiscent of the way Pennywise baits his young victims. Bill Hader, as Richie, is the heart of the horror flick.
IT: Chapter 2
IT: Chapter 2 Cast: James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Bill Skarsgård
IT: Chapter 2 Director: Andy Muschietti
IT: Chapter 2 Stars: 3.5/5
Confession time - It was only recently when I dabbled my way across Derry and watched the Losers Club fight off Pennywise in IT: Chapter 1 (2017). Hence, with the story still fresh off my mind, I was welcomed back to Derry, 27 years later, in IT: Chapter 2. How do you top off the first installment which, with pleasant surprise, became the highest-grossing horror film of time? Just like the members of The Losers Club, the storyline grows up and becomes more mature!
Evidenced by a paticular scene in the first half, we see a young girl being lured by a light-induced insect and coming face-to-face with Pennywise, as a call-back to the introductory sequence in IT. However, unlike the naive Georgie in the first part, this young girl deems him not a friend and in the process, shows her mental stability, at such a tender age. Alas, temptations be rife to rid yourself of your flaws, Pennywise lures her in anyways. Off the top of my head, it's the stellar casting of the adult Losers Club that deserves major praises. Casting director Rich Delia gets all the props! It's not just the looks, but the mannerisms that make it difficult to fathom that each character was played by two different actors!
Taking place 27 years later, Bill & Co. Are reunited at Derry, Maine when the viscious Pennywise is back. In the process, the forgotten past comes lurking and knocks on all the members, one slow-staggering step at a time. Sacrifices have to be made but it's not in the conventional of ways! Let's face it, IT: Chapter 2 is long! While some will have a problem with the almost three-hour duration, I look at it as a jigsaw puzzle, where all the sequences are required for the final outcome. Each member of The Losers Club is given the spotlight to shine for overcoming their inner demons while reuniting as one, towards the end for a deadly climax that could rival the predecessor! The introductory sequence where the members have dinner together is just some of the lighter moments that make IT: Chapter 2 click. It's a slow burn of a three-course meal which fills your appetite in the end.
When it comes to the performances, James McAvoy takes charge as another variation of Professor X with Bill. His subtlety and aggressiveness is well-balanced throughout the film and it's almost like he's the roots of the flick. However, the heart of IT: Chapter 2 is Bill Hader (just like Finn Wolfhard as young Richie stole the show in IT). The SNL alum sinks deep into the narcissism yet charming personality of Richie and towards the climax, really hits you with his gut-wrenching act. Jessica Chastain, Jay Ryan, Isaiah Mustafa, James Ransone and Andy Bean jump neck deep into adding the eccentricities of their younger counterparts and infusing the same into their character traits. It's almost like the adults becoming kids again. Can you really see Bill Skarsgård as anything but Pennywise? Just when you thought, Pennywise couldn't get scarier, Bill lays out all the cards on the table and had us shuddering with nervous anxiety.
Careful consideration is given to the authenticity of the scary sequences, whether it comes to the VFX of the other-worldly creatures (like the old nan living in Bev's old apartment or Stan-cum-octopus) or even the cinematography and production design in the climax sequence. It's not just another jump-scares fest (which are aplenty); it's so much more! It's not just a stereotypical horror-genre film! Its subtext includes psychological thriller, comedy, drama and romance. You're so invested in The Losers Club, at the very beginning that when you reach the end, it's like a sweet surrender.
Finally, Andy Muschietti's direction and influence over the theatre audience (along with Gary Dauberman's screenplay, based on Stephen King's 1986 novel, IT) is reminiscent of the way Pennywise baits his young victims. You're first wary when you encounter IT: Chapter 2, but eventually you are lured and sucked all the way in, thanks to the brilliant performances and the painstakingly articulate scary sequences! IT: Chapter 2 will leave the theatre audience divided; while some will jump head-first and float away to Derry enjoying the slow burn, some will want to get the hell out of Derry. I, pleasantly, belong to the former.
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