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Back in 2017, Warner Bros were confident enough in It to have the movie exist from the start as a first chapter.

Of course fans of Stephen King's classic horrifying coming-of-age novel (or the 1990 miniseries) knew that Andy Muschietti's movie was only half the story, smartly separating the novel's dual timelines and focusing on the young Losers' Club. Critical acclaim and a terrific $700 million box office haul followed, and It Chapter Two was born.

But could Muschietti repeat the terrifying magic again with a whole new cast? Without a doubt. Creepy, affecting and brilliantly crafted, It Chapter Two is a sequel that lives up to expectations.

Opening with the Losers' Club making their pact at the end of the first movie, It Chapter Two jumps ahead 27 years as Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) starts to terrorise the town of Derry once again.

After the traumatic events of their childhood, the Losers' Club have all moved out of Derry, except for Mike (Isaiah Mustafa) who's been preparing for Pennywise's return. With the children of Derry disappearing, Mike is left with no choice but to call his fellow Losers and get them to return home.

Together, they must confront Pennywise once again and conquer their darkest fears to defeat him for good...

Although the sequel starts with the young Losers' Club, the majority of It Chapter Two is focused on the grown-up Losers, and it's quite remarkable how well they've been cast. Not only do they look like believable adult versions of the Losers, but the performances manage to evoke the same mannerisms and spirit established in the first movie. You have no doubt you're watching the same characters.

Brooke Palmer Warner Bros.

James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain are as reliable as ever and there's not really a weak link among them, but special credit has to go to Bill Hader and James Ransone. Like Finn Wolfhard and Jack Dylan Grazer in the first movie, the two are faced with balancing humour with genuine terror, and they manage it with aplomb. Their relationship gives It Chapter Two an unexpected emotion to go with the scares.

But you're not really coming to It Chapter Two for its heart, even though you definitely care about every Loser. Like in the first movie, Muschietti has managed to craft a series of chilling set pieces designed to give everyone a touch of coulrophobia. Pennywise is both more vicious and creepier than before, with Bill Skarsgård absolutely captivating, as much as you might want to look away.

While there's nothing in the sequel that a die-hard horror fan won't have seen before, the set pieces are so effectively done that they'll have an impact regardless. From a terrific hall of mirrors sequence to the terrifying old lady seen in the first trailer, there are creepy delights to savour throughout, including some classic book moments that have been brilliantly realised.



Brooke Palmer Warner Bros.

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As in the novel, the adult Losers have to revisit their childhoods in Derry to stop Pennywise. The flashbacks are seamlessly blended with the present day and you do get to see more of the talented young cast, but it's here where the scares get a bit repetitive. You're seeing the same 'mission' play out across each Loser, with the end result largely being a variation of a similar beat, diminishing their impact somewhat.

Fortunately this only really affects this section of the movie, which is otherwise smartly paced across its hefty 169-minute runtime. It really doesn't feel that long and, crucially, never feels overstuffed as Chapter One left a lot of King's novel still to explore. One notable subplot has been dismissed entirely for the better, and although some other adjustments may prove divisive for fans, It Chapter Two is a worthy adaptation.

Not only does It Chapter Two live up to that seminal novel but also to the standards set in the first movie. The cast might be different but the heart and horror remain as strong as before. Pennywise missed the Losers' Club – and we missed him too.

It Chapter Two is out now.

Director: Andy Muschietti; Starring: James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, James Ransone, Bill Skarsgård, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer; Running time: 169 minutes; Certificate: 15

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