The modern film "landscape" is an odd one. It seems like a movie comes out and after a couple of days the story is written and there's consensus on that movie. The movie's status is written in stone and any different view is disregarded or attacked. This is foolish for many reasons but a big one is that I have found myself frequently disagreeing with the collective "critics" consensus. This movie was a prime example.
To clarify it seems like the story of this movie is that it was fine but disappointing. Not as good as the first, overly long, less scary and generally not as engaging. I disagree with every part of this. Firstly (and I know I'll be declared crazy for this) I actually think it's better than the first movie, at least for me. I found it difficult to find fault with, very effective and affecting, didn't really feel the length of time dragging and, although neither film was really terrifying, pretty scary at times (literally and emotionally).
I feel like I understood and connected to what this story was trying to say. To me it's about how we grow up and forget it but our childhood is always a part of who we are. That can mean bad experiences sure but also really good ones. Ultimately it's about the connections we make. I'm sure I'm not alone in having really dear friends who I don't really think about but when we get together the bond and connection is immediately strong and emotionally brings everything right back. Ironically for a film that contains a chant about darkness overcoming light the central themes of the movie are the total opposite; you may feel different, ostracized, freaky,... a loser. But you are loved and capable of love and that is stronger than fear. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but that was my experience when watching.
There's also a lot to enjoy for horror and Stephen King fans. Without spoiling there's a couple of awesome, unexpected cameos and literal scenes & dialogue specifically referencing iconic other horror movie moments. At times it seems like a love letter to the genre. It's not always slavishly kind either with one particularly meta running joke that's hilariously on the nose.
The casting of the adult Losers Club truly bowled me over. Honestly every member seems entirely like the same person as their young counterpart and all showcase some brilliant acting. The adult Henry Bowers is less impressive but since that character is basically a cypher anyway that's a minor nitpick.
Overall this movie is not without fault. Some people will find it too long. At times the "quest" structure does come off as hokey and there are perhaps a few too many cheap jump scares which are always less effective than the more emotionally invested terrors. The music too is sometimes intrusive, not letting scenes do their work without seeming to metaphorically scream "YOU SHOULD BE SCARED".
But these gripes are minor and take very little away from a film that I truly loved. It got me feeling engaged, scared, choked up and finally really keen to watch it, and the whole It saga, again. Disagree? That's fine. I've always been a Loser. 😊❤🤡🎈
But these gripes are minor and take very little away from a film that I truly loved. It got me feeling engaged, scared, choked up and finally really keen to watch it, and the whole It saga, again. Disagree? That's fine. I've always been a Loser. 😊❤🤡🎈
****1/2 (4.5/5)
MM
