While I might be biased writing a review on “IT” and “IT Chapter Two”, I think it is safe to say that both were very well made and entertaining. Both are based on the Stephen King novel “It” (which is a very long but highly recommended read. You will not regret it). “IT” was released in 2017 as a remake of Tommy Lee Wallace’s 1990 horror miniseries. “IT Chapter Two,” the sequel to the first movie which focused on the second half of the book, was released in September 2019.
First off, I was so excited about this next movie. In the first one, we got to really connect with the characters, but in the second one, when they’re all grown up, there is more room for character development, and we see the different sides of each character. Also seeing the kids grow up in seperate lives and then come together in the second movie is very satisfying. So, obviously, I was first in line on opening night to see the next installment. And it was so worth it.
The first movie took place in 1988 when the Losers, which is what the main characters (Bill Denbrough, Beverly Marsh, Ben Hanscom, Richie Tozier, Stanley Uris, Mike Hanlon, and Eddie Kaspbrak) called themselves when they were all kids. In the town of Derry, Maine, there were a series of kidnappings and murders of children and just unfortunate events that happened every 27 years. This was caused by the entity called “It.” It didn’t have a name because it took a different shape for different people based on their fears.
It’s main form however that is portrayed in the movie is a clown, played by Bill Skarsgård. If you think he does a good job in the first movie playing Pennywise the clown, just watch the second one; he is phenomenal. So at the end of the first movie, the Losers “defeat” It, or at least they think they did. This sets up for the next installment which starts off in 2016 with the witnessed murder of Adrian Mellon by Pennywise after homophobic teenagers push him off a bridge.
Mike Hanlon, the only one of the Losers left in Maine after catching wind of Pennywise’s return, calls the other Losers to try to bring them back to Derry. Unfortunately, Stanly Uris hears of the return of the clown, freaks out, then commits suicide. When they all come back, Mike finally tells them that Pennywise is back and the Losers are torn. They all want to go back home and forget about it. However, then the memories come rushing back and they had made a promise to stop it for good so they are going to try. I won’t spoil the end for you, but it’s very well made, and I did shed a few tears. With improved technology compared to the older version in 1990, the special effects are so much better.
In the second one, they had to up the scare factor, and their editing was so good. I was genuinely terrified at some part and that is saying a lot because I don’t think horror movies are that scary. Also, the jump scares are killer. So much better in the second movie compared to the first. The other thing I love about these movies is the characters themselves. Especially the kids, who are played by actors and an actress my age, are so funny.
While the movies are scary, they also have a comedic touch on it. For example, Eddie Kaspbrack, the germaphobe on steroids, is always making funny comments about how dirty everything is, and he carries around a fanny pack with a bunch of medicine and his inhaler. The language is slightly explicit, but it’s even funnier when the kids come face to face with Pennywise and they’re spitting out curses and freaking out.
The movies also have a tiny bit of romance in them if you enjoy that. There is a love triangle between three of the characters: Beverly likes Bill, but Ben is obsessed and clearly loves Beverly. In the first movie, Ben is a chubby little kid who could never get the girl compared to Bill, but then in the second movie he gets taller, skinner, and much better looking in general and ends up getting the girl.
If you couldn’t already tell, I’m obsessed with “IT” and “IT Chapter Two,” and they should be on your movies to watch list.
