It: Chapter Two

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:

27 years after the Losers Club defeated Pennywise, he has returned to terrorise the town of Derry. Now adults, the Losers have long since gone their separate ways. However, people are disappearing again, so, Mike, the only one of the group to remain in their hometown, calls the others home. Damaged by the experiences of their past, they must each conquer their deepest fears to destroy Pennywise once and for all putting them directly in the path of the shape-shifting clown that has become deadlier than ever.

WHAT WE THOUGHT:

Director Andy Muschietti had his work cut out for him with the sequel to the 2017 box office hit, IT.

During an interview in London he told me that while he didn't have a lot of external pressure, there were internal pressures, he put on himself. He saw this film as a challenge, and in my opinion, he rose to the challenge.

With It: Chapter Two he weaves together both past and present so eloquently that brought depth to the storyline that the original didn't have for me.

Sure, the manifestations of the Losers fears will creep you out, and Pennywise has upped the ante to be even more terrifying, but the beating heart of the film is the bond between the Losers that even after 27 years is still strong.

The older cast Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, James Ransone, Jay Ryan, and Andy Bean were carbon copies of the younger cast. They emulated their mannerisms and traits to a tee; it really felt like you were watching the younger actors' future selves.

The stand out performance for me was Bill Hader who plays adult Richie Tozier.  There is a particularly poignant scene towards the end of the film that will hit you right in the feels.

I particularly enjoyed how the flashbacks were a big part of the plot of the story. It delved deeper into the times when the Losers were apart after their big fight and after they fought Pennywise. It was such a treat to see the younger cast: Sophia Lillis, Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Jeremy Ray Taylor and Chosen Jacobs back.

As for Bill Skarsgård, how he embodies Pennywise physically was terrific to watch, how does he do those things with his eyes? There is also a bit of a flashback to Pennywise's backstory that gives you some insight into the character which I appreciated.

While the film has enough satisfying horror elements, it also explores themes such as trauma, depression, domestic abuse, and a hate crime. Of all the scenes in the film, the hate crime was particularly difficult for me to watch. It highlighted that monsters and killer crimes are the only ones who can perpetrate evil.

Andy shared with me in our interview that for the past five years, he has been immersed in the world of It, his passion for this project can be seen through in the execution of this movie.

It: Chapter Two is one scary ride and worth your watch; it has something for everyone.