IT Chapter Two

Here's the basic rundown for people who've been asking. Yes, it's nearly three hours long. In this critic's opinion it was scarier than the first, but not terrifying. And no, you can't take your kids unless you want people to judge you. Now, a little exposition. IT a.k.a. Pennywise the Clown is back in Derry and 27 years later he's up to his same malevolent ways. But the child crew from the first film is all grown up and nearly all have moved away. When they're called home to make a final stand against him, those who've left don't remember.

So, Mike (Isaiah Mustafa) has to convince Bill (James McAvoy), Bev (Jessica Chastain), Richie (Bill Hader), Ben (Jay Ryan), Eddie (James Ransone) and Stanley (Andy Bean) to come home. Andy remembers best, but the rest need a little convincing. It doesn't take IT very long to help them remember and fear. Now, one can consider it scarier than the first in that what IT puts our heroes through seems more cruel and gruesome theatrics than in the first. But it's balanced out with humor — specifically Hader and Ransone's verbal assaults and insults. So basically, what you liked about the first movie, you get more of in the second.