Film Review: IT - Chapter Two
Pennywise is back to terrorise the kids in IT - Chapter Two. Picture: IDMb - Credit: Archant
Second part shocker from the Stephen King remake
Following the record-breaking success of It: Chapter One, Andy Muschietti brings his adaptation of Stephen King's supernatural horror novel to a close with this bold, stylish and nerve-rattling sequel.
Set 27 years after the horrific adventures of the first film The Losers - Bill (James McAvoy), Beverly (Jessica Chastain), Mike (Isaiah Mustafa), Richie (Bill Hader) Stanley (Andy Bean), Ben (Jay Ryan) and Eddie (James Ransone) - who have all grown up and gone their separate ways return to Derry, Maine when shape-shifting demon Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) resurfaces, intent on vanquishing him once and for all.
The film starts particularly well, reintroducing us to the adult Losers who, having completely forgotten their previous encounter with Pennywise, begin to recall the past trauma he inflicted upon them once they return to their childhood town.
It's here, as with the first chapter, where the film is at its strongest, with the director and his talented cast - Hader and McAvoy are outstanding - adding new dimensions to the older characters, all the while laying the ground for the terror that is to befall them.
A reunion in a Chinese restaurant, which transforms into something altogether more sinister, is one of the film's standout sequences.
The film delivers plenty of bone-chilling, spectacularly orchestrated set pieces too, but sadly the emotional heft of these scenes is frequently undercut by quips from The Losers.
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Still, this is a small flaw and while the film might lack the same impact of its predecessor, it is nevertheless a thrilling and wonderfully entertaining horror.
