Pennywise the Dancing Clown makes his highly anticipated return to the big screen in It: Chapter Two.
After 27 years in hiding, the titular menace comes back to wreak havoc upon the residents of Derry, Maine.
The 'Losers Club' - Bill (James McAvoy), Beverly (Jessica Chastain), Ben (Jay Ryan), Richie (Bill Hader), Mike (Isaiah Mustafa), Eddie (James Ransone), and Stanley (Andy Bean) - re-unite to defeat Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard), once and for all.
Back in 2017, It introduced/re-introduced viewers to Stephen King's terrifying creation in an effective manner.
Director Andy Muschietti has since been given more money and resources to see out his vision.
It: Chapter Two comes in at an excruciating 169 minutes.
With so much time and so little story, Muschietti and screenwriter Gary Dauberman rely on set-pieces to move things along.
Packing in jump scares, CGI ghouls, and blood splatters, the movie quickly becomes tiresome.
Despite having more screen time, Pennywise is nowhere near as intriguing or intimidating as he used to be.
The child and adult performers save It: Chapter Two from being a complete misfire.
McAvoy and Chastain, two of our finest mainstream actors, shine as the leaders of the Losers Club.
Hader elevates an otherwise obnoxious role, while Ransone and Ryan stand out from the pack. Aided by his charisma and phenomenal range, Skarsgard has a bright future ahead of him.
It: Chapter Two proves that more is less.
