"It Chapter Two" aims for the same kind of success that made the original so successful. The nearly three-hour running time kills it, in spite of great casting, including Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader. 1 star, rated "R."
The gang of kids who put away the evil clown Pennywise return as adults, to finish the job. Based on a Stephen King novel, the size of a phone book, the now-grown gang drop their adult lives to return to their spooky Maine hometown. "It Chapter Two" has plenty of gore and jump-out-of-your seat moments. It successfully morphs the children of the original into the grown-ups of this conclusion, reminding us of their personalities. Bill Hader particularly stands out as a stand-up comic returning to fight his childhood demon. Jessica Chastain seems the perfect actress to play the grown-up redhead tomboy Beverly. In spite of good casting and excellent production, the story bogs down because of the long running time. "It Chapter Two" feels like a stuffed sausage.
