Throw the Clown a Bone- It: Chapter 2

I’m a horror movie fan, through and through, and a Stephen King fan. I may be a little biased. However, this story does have its merits. The first film, a coming of age story, had the dramatic flair usually left to an indie horror while also delivering on phenomenal visuals found in the mainstream. It: Chapter 2 expands on the both the children’s relationships and introduces us to the adults. The stakes aren’t as high as they were in the book, but honestly, just read it if you want more of the lore filled in- because until the rumored supercut of both movies, what we got is more than enough to scratch the itch.

The death of Georgie in the first film was already brutal enough.

Adrian’s death, kickstarting the events in this movie, are just as brutal, if not more so. If you fear homophobia, this will really get under your skin. It’s also a sign that Pennywise is cracking- his playfulness isn’t as overt as the last run. He kills and runs. He’s got older kids to torture now. From here on out the plot is a breakneck pace. We get a moment of side characters to establish how each of the original seven have grown out of their past lives. And then they disappear because it is a movie, and they already have a long runtime to keep. The Chinese restaurants appears almost immediately, and it’s everything you ever want. This is where the movie’s voice really starts to shine.

All the actors are phenomenal and have clearly studied their roles. Richie (Bill Hader) and Eddie (James Ransone) are still shooting the shit together, Mike (Isaiah Mustafa) is quiet but finds his moments to speak up, Beverly (Jessica Chastain) doesn’t let her memory lapse reduce her caring nature or the one-of-the-boys attitude, Bill (James McAvoy) knows full well what they’re all doing and carries that pain with him, and Ben (Jay Ryan) has gained an astounding amount of confidence and six pack abs. All of this applies for the whole movie. At some point they split up, but the cast really does shine when they all get back together again. These are people we care about and you don’t need me to tell you that. You’ll see.

Everyone acts like a real person would, considering their trauma. Bill and Eddie make jokes in stressful situations. However, what really makes them standout is their reluctance to even involve themselves in the situation. For half the movie they want to leave out of self-preservation and the audience feels that through their actions and acting. Another thing that struck a chord with me was the burgeoning romance between Ben and Beverly. It’s a central part of their arc. After years of abuse from her father and spouse, and years of bullying in respect to Ben, they turn to each other, saving each other. It’s not forced, and with the bonus of the child actors (Sophia Lillis and Jeremy Ray Taylor) absolutely killing it again in new flashbacks, their love is rather sweet. Finally, we get to Mike and Bill. Mike is reserved and fully invested in his role as the local clown historian. He knows too much information and has a difficult time articulating his thoughts/warnings in manageable chunks. Bill is the cusp of the story, with survivor’s guilt over his brother’s death still tormenting him twenty-seven years later. Pennywise uses this to its full potential, setting up plenty of emotional dread. Together, these point to an enjoyable story.

As for the horror, it hits hard and fast- much more so than the last movie. There’s an even pace throughout. In the center of the film, each member of the group faces a separate horror (and Bill buys his childhood bike from Stephen King himself in a hilarious, vulgar, three minute cameo). This middle part of the film is integral for each character’s development. Pennywise is significantly more hands-on with the characters. This adds oomph to his encounters- especially when we see him as a human. It’s a true bombardment of frightening imagery- only truly scary depending on your fear. Refreshing, honestly. A recent trend in horror is the extreme slow burn from greats like The Babadook, The Witch, and Hereditary. This is a perfect theater movie. 2hrs50mins blows by in a tsunami of blood. Just sit back, relax, and let the movie take you on a wild ride. And without spoiling the ending, it is well deserved after everything that happens.

In conclusion: this long movie is fun through and through, with excellent cinematography, characters that continue to stay true to their book counterparts, and horror that delivers on a visceral level.

*****/*****