by Bailey Rankin, Student Reporter
27 years have passed and IT is back. Now, the Losers Club has to reunite and fight, not only IT, but their deep seated fears as well.
“IT Chapter 2” holds no punches, that is made explicitly clear within the first ten minutes of the film.
The first few scenes set a tone for the film that tells the audience to strap in and get ready for a rough ride, almost like the director, Andy Muschietti, is saying “Yeah, this is how we are starting the movie. Do you think you will be able to handle the rest?”
“IT Chapter 2” lacks the tense and terrifying atmosphere of the first film. Perhaps this is due to the fact that these are not children who are scared now; they’ve grown into adults who have to deal with … taxes, or whatever.
These people are not scared of werewolves or mummies or clowns anymore.
However, just because “IT Chapter 2” is not going to give you nightmares for 27 years does not mean it was a bad film.
The transitions between scenes and flashbacks are unique and creative.
The cinematography and certain shots are phenomenal, and the acting between the adult members of the Losers Club is great.
Although I will say that even though the chemistry with the adult cast was there, it was not as strong as the child actors’ connection in the first movie.
When people ask me about “IT Chapter 2” and what horrors to expect I give them this disclaimer before they decide to go see a two hour and fifty minute movie: If you are looking for a horror movie that is not what you will find in the theatre, “IT Chapter 2” is a science fiction film that was made to explain how Pennywise came to be, but ends up confusing the audience (me) more than clarifying how all of this started.
Truth be told, if you go in expecting a replica of the first film you’re going to be disappointed. “IT (2017)” is in a caliber of ITs own (pun intended).
Go in with an open mind and you may come out appreciating the different direction and feel this movie takes.
“IT (2017)” could be seen as a coming of age film with a few deaths and a deranged clown. Due to terrorization from Pennywise, fear forces these kids to grow up. By the end of the film the kids think they have a hold of what truly terrifies them, or they think they at least know how to deal with those problems.
But then here comes the second movie with old fears resurfacing and new fears (and feelings) developing and now they have to figure it all out again.
I see this franchise as an analogy for life.
As a kid, when you have a problem you think you can have an easy fix and find a solution fast, but as time goes on those problems change or grow and develop. Then suddenly, you are an adult and you are scrambling for answers or a way to fix this “problem”, whatever it may be, and you realize you are still a kid and you are not quite sure how you ever convinced yourself you were not.
But hey, Bill Hader was funny!