It Chapter 2

[Steelbook Indy]

I don't want to give spoilers away, so I will keep this at high level.

 

My anticipation of It, Chapter One (admittedly) was low, and I was pleasantly surprised.  The opposite happened with Chapter Two.  I went in with high expectations, and was let down.  I mean, how couldn't I be excited. going into it?  Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader headline a strong cast as Bill Skarsgard returns as Pennywise.  Bill Hader shined as Richie, and Bill Skarsgard stole some scenes again.  James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain fell flat - which surprised me.  I also was a bit disappointed at what was excluded from the book.  I understood why the screenplay was reworked for Chapter One.  It would have been nearly impossible to include the climatic defeat of Pennywise by the tween Loser's Club, and what they did in Chapter One worked.  Chapter Two, however, felt as though the screen writers dumbed down the screenplay - and made it easy.  I usually do not mind deviations from source material - if it makes sense, but Chapter Two included a deviations that took up between 45 and 60 minutes of screen time that didn't further the plot while significantly departing from King's telling.  I give this 5/10 Stars weighing my score heavily on Bill Skarsgard and Bill Hader.  Chastain and McAvoy were good but slipped out of their typical Oscar-caliber talent.

 

5/10 Stars