On September 4th you’re gonna want to avoid your local sewers, because IT Chapter 2 is coming to theaters across the world! The film is set to be a huge blockbuster after IT raked in a total of $700 million worldwide, with a production budget of $35 million.
Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise in IT/image via Horror Freak News
However, now that the reviews are rolling in, the sequel might not live up to the hype. Several film critics have taken to twitter after seeing the film early, and there is a shockingly low amount of praise.
https://twitter.com/TheOtherScottM/status/1163986792183263233
Woof. That’s a rough one. Other reviews echo similar sentiments, though not as harshly.
It’s also very much a “part 2”, as in it doesn’t stand on its own at all. In fact, the ideal way to view this would be back to back with the first film.
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) August 21, 2019
Is it scary? Not really. In fact, it seems more content to go for humor rather than horror. But there are a handful of genuinely nasty moments that you don’t usually get in big studio horror flicks.
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) August 21, 2019
Oh! And there’s a great callback to Carpenter’s THE THING! And two fun cameos.
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) 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
#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.bsky.social) (@WilliamBibbiani) August 21, 2019
I am not an IT expert but I get the sense, even in the book, IT’s powers/motivations aren’t always well defined. That vagueness works with the kids, but I wish this one had some basic rules? Because it feels like IT could kill any of these people at anytime and just doesn’t.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) August 21, 2019
So everything that’s awesome and imperfect in #ITChapterTwo comes straight from the novel. The horror in this one is way more brutal. A leaner adaptation would have solve the repetitive loop of the third act. Cast is great and the direction impressive. Very Good but not Great. pic.twitter.com/IHDntHprvQ
— JuandaVision (@juanmadpelicula) August 21, 2019
There are a couple of more positive reviews, though they are very few and far between.
Really enjoyed #ITChapterTwo which serves as the perfect bookend to Chapter One. Some great shocks and scares with the young and old cast. Bill Hader absolutely steals the movie, which balances heartfelt emotion with creepy jump scares galore. @joblocom
— Arctic Ninja (@arcticninjapaul) August 21, 2019
A few issues that stuck out; It was about 10-15 minutes too long, which gives it a slow start and made me feel like there wasn’t enough Pennywise, who is played beautifully frightening once again by Bill Skarsgard. #ItChapterTwo @joblocom
— Arctic Ninja (@arcticninjapaul) August 21, 2019
It was great to see the kids return in flashbacks, but I’m not sure if it helps or hurts the older cast, who could’ve used a little more screentime. Still, they all live up to their young counterparts well. The time jumps can be jarring at times, but you settle in. #ITChapterTwo
— Arctic Ninja (@arcticninjapaul) August 21, 2019
Ultimately, I think people will struggle over which part they liked best, but I like to think of them both as one film and the second chapter delivers a satisfying and emotional conclusion to one of the best horror films ever made. #ITChapterTwo @joblocom
— Arctic Ninja (@arcticninjapaul) August 21, 2019
#ITChapterTwo is a terrific companion to #ITChapterOne. Similar vibes, great ensemble chemistry w/ a nice mix of humor and horror. Part 2 plays heavier in tone, dealing w/ defeating the burden of childhood trauma, & I definitely teared up at the very end. Bill Hader steals it pic.twitter.com/bjiwtJufNQ
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) August 21, 2019
So #ITChapterTwo was pretty damn great & the ending left me in tears. There are some excellent set pieces (finale had me holding my breath at times) that got under my skin & I think the adult Losers are awesome. Relies a bit too much on flashbacks tho but fans should be happy.🎈 pic.twitter.com/UKDf0frOTg
— Heatherface Wixson (@MMEFXBook VOL 2 – out 10/26!) (@thehorrorchick) August 21, 2019
What do you think? Are you still excited to see IT Chapter 2, or have these reviews dampened the hype? Or do you just want Pennywise to crawl down the hole he came from and never return? Let us know!
Featured image via Youtube