It 2

The endearing members of the Losers’ Club are back and all grown up in ‘It 2.’ The long awaited sequel, though not quite as good as the original, is still a very good movie!  The movie begins 27 years after the young Losers vanquished the dancing clown, forever they thought. They nearly all leave town and in leaving, forget everything that had happened.  But now, with the town of Derry experiencing, yet again, a spate of killings and child disappearances, the one remaining friend must act.  Mike (Isiah Mustafa) has never left the town and has spent the last 27 years researching the history of the murderous clown. He believes he has discovered a way to destroy Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard) once and for all.  Mike calls all of the friends, who now can’t remember much of what happened all those years ago, back to Derry.  There is ill-fated Stan (Andy Bean), wise-cracking Richie (Bill Hader), novelist and now stutter-free Bill (James McAvoy), Ben (Jay Ryan) who has grown into quite a stud, thoughtful, hypocondriac Eddie (James Ransone) and kind hearted Bev (Jessica Chastain) who all must stand together to face their fears and save their town – and perhaps themselves.  The adult versions of the charactters are not as endearing as their younger selves, but they all bring heart to their roles.  I was especially impressed with Bill Hader.  He is definitely growing as a dramatic actor. Those of you who have read the book, may be disappointed that some of the events do not make it into the film; but even at 2 hours and 45 minutes, the movie could not possibly have included it all. But what it includes is frightening and suspenseful. As in Part One, the production values are excellent and the atmosphere suitably foreboding. I won’t say anything about what changes! However, I am not spoiling the movie by telling you that Stephen King does have a pretty good cameo in this one.  I found this movie terrifying, so much so that I had to close my eyes during a few scenes.  But in the end, isn’t that what makes a good Stephen King novel, and movie?