IT: Chapter Two is one of the most anticipated horror movies in recent memory. The first film, which hit the big screens in 2017 received critical acclaim and smashed it at the box office, raking over $US 700 million to become the highest-grossing horror movie ever. Now all eyes are on its sequel, which adapts the second half of Stephen King’s terrifying novel, in which all the kids from The Losers Club are now in their adult years.
A very early screening of IT: Chapter Two just took place in the US and the early social media reactions by critics are in. Unfortunately, it looks like Chapter Two is not nearly as good as its predecessor. The film has been called “uneven,” “contrived,” and also “disappointing.” However, most critics are in agreement that it contains some great set pieces and is still worth the watch.
Here are some of the early reactions:
Here are my two cents on #ItChapterTwo:
Ultimately, I was disappointed — I really wish they had gone all in on a trilogy, the conclusion is simply too much to tackle in only one feature film.
BUT, with that being said… (1/2)
— Clarke Wolfe (@clarkewolfe) August 21, 2019
#ItChapterTwo has some excellent set pieces and a few great performances, but it's also got big problems. It's very contrived, the jokes get in the way of the scares and it relies too heavily on flashbacks about the kid Losers instead of developing the adult versions. pic.twitter.com/SwixiPU2De
— William Bibbiani (@WilliamBibbiani) August 21, 2019
#ITChapterTwo is probably scarier than chapter one – more Pennywise imagery to haunt your dreams. But it also loses a lot of charm in the shift in focus from the coming of age to the now adult characters. At nearly 3 hours it feels long.
— /Film (@slashfilm) August 21, 2019
#ITChapterTwo is big and ambitious and can't *quite* handle the weight of its aspirations, but it's still a fine piece of heartfelt horror. The parts that work, work REALLY well and Bill Hader is every-bit the scene-stealing standout we all hoped he'd be.
— Haleigh Foutch (@HaleighFoutch) August 21, 2019
And of course, no “early reactions” article is complete without some rubbish from Ben Mekler (who, in my humble opinion, is a legend and the best film critic to have ever lived.)
Been bothering me since the screening – I just don’t think it’s cool or funny that Pennywise’s catchphrase in #ITChapterTwo is “CLINTON BODY COUNT!” Completely took me out of the movie. Otherwise terrific
— Ben Mekler (@benmekler) August 21, 2019
While the early reactions aren’t what I hoped it would be, I’m still very excited to catch it. IT: Chapter One is perhaps one of the most entertaining and heartfelt mainstream horror movie in ages. Stay tuned to Lowyat.net over the coming weeks for my in-depth review of Chapter Two.
IT: Chapter Two official synopsis:
Evil resurfaces in Derry as director Andy Muschietti reunites the Losers Club in a return to where it all began with “IT Chapter Two,” the conclusion to the highest-grossing horror film of all time.
Twenty-seven years after the Losers Club defeated Pennywise, he has returned to terrorize the town of Derry once more. 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.
IT: Chapter Two is set to hit Malaysian cinemas on 5 September 2019.
