‘It: Chapter Two’ Initial Reviews Pours In With Mixed Reactions

2017’s It was a huge worldwide hit that set the bar high for all Stephen King adaptations. More than that, it also set the bar high for its sequel It: Chapter Two. The first film made around $700 million worldwide and was met with a lot of positive reception. Now, with some people being lucky enough to see the initial screenings, we’re getting the reviews. Surprisingly, it’s not as overwhelmingly positive as those of It. 

For one, critics are saying that it pales in comparison to the first film. According to some of them, it just doesn’t live up to the standards that the first film set. On the other hand, some are saying that it’s scarier than the first film. Some are even praising it as the perfect bookend to It. But the real scene-stealer is Bill Hader’s performance which critics are agreeably calling Oscar-worthy.

It: Chapter Two is directed by Andy Muschietti and stars James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, James Ransone, Andy Bean, Isaiah Mustafa, and Bill Skarsgård. It picks up 27 years after the events of the first film and completes the adaptation of King’s hit novel. Here, the grown-up losers club reunites back in Derry to face down a more gruesome and cruel Pennywise. It: Chapter Two hits theatres on September 5 in Australia and September 6 in the UK and US. Here are what critics are saying about it:

It: Chapter Two: Catching Up to the First Film

For one, Collider’s Haleigh Foutch thought that It: Chapter Two couldn’t quite handle the weight of its ambitions. However, there are some aspects of the film that works really well. There’s one point over there for Bill Hader.

#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

SlashFilm staff critic Chris Evangelista was a little more brutal noting that the cast has a lack of chemistry contrary to popular opinion. He does, however, make up for it and praises Bill Hader as well. He also adds in another tweet saying that it’s one of the films that truly understand King’s voice.

#ITChapter2 has a rushed, clumsy first act & an odd lack of chemistry among the adult Losers. But it eventually finds its footing. This is a BIG movie—a go for broke horror blockbuster not afraid to make weird choices. Bill Hader steals the show. #ITMovie #ITChapterTwo pic.twitter.com/cib2slRfoq

— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) August 21, 2019

Several issues aside, this is one of the rare Stephen King adaptations that actually understands King’s voice and successfully translates it to the screen. It captures that unapologetic earnestness mixed with a kind of aw-shucks corniness that King does so well.

— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) August 21, 2019

CinemaBlend’s Sean O’Connell liked It: Chapter Two. But, he didn’t love it. Like the other critics, he cited that the first film was a tough one to follow although Chapter Two still nails important aspects of the book. He also gives another point to Hader’s performance.

So, #ITChapterTwo: it's v. good, but not great. I liked it, but didn't LOVE it. First movie is a tough act to follow. TWO is gruesome, strange but rarely scary. Nails important aspects from the book, but feels overlong. Cast is aces, though, & Bill Hader SHOULD be in Oscar convo. pic.twitter.com/1KUZk5TXA1

— Sean O'Connell (@Sean_OConnell) August 21, 2019

Uproxx’ Mike Ryan also compares it to the first movie. On his part, he wishes that the second film did away more of the vagueness about the entity’s powers and motivations.

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

On the other hand, Paul Shirley from JoBlo gave quite the praise to It: Chapter Two. He describes it as the “perfect bookend to Chapter One.” And of course, he also gives quite the praise to Hader.

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 Paul (@arcticninjapaul) August 21, 2019

Fandango’s Erik Davis also thought the same as Shirley calling Chapter Two as a worthy successor to the first film. He even revealed that the ending had got him tearing up.

#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

Collider’s Perri Nemiroff also high praises describing it having a truly epic feel. And he also praises Director Muschietti for how he weaves the young and adult losers together.

#ITChapter2 isn't as refined as the first, but it's still an excellent ensemble piece, oozing with heart & packed with extremely well-crafted set pieces. Muschietti weaves the young & adult Losers together super well, giving IT 2 a truly epic feel. (MVP: Bill Hader as Richie.) pic.twitter.com/7dXmIsd2z6

— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) August 21, 2019

Last but not least, Moviefone’s Drew Taylor says It: Chapter Two will make more money than Warner Bros. knows what to do with. Either way, we’ll all have to wait a few more weeks to judge it for ourselves.

#ItChapterTwo is a giant budget, studio-backed horror movie that’s also a fairly serious actors showcase/ensemble, with occasional flashes of brilliant imagery (like all the balloons cascading under the bridge). It’ll make more money than Warner Bros knows what to do with. pic.twitter.com/Noscq1X1j1

— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) August 21, 2019