IT Chapter Two
Directed by Andy Muschietti
Written by Stephen King
Screenplay by Gary Dauberman
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jessica Chastain, James McCoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransome, Andy Bean
ARRIVES ONTO 4K UHD STEELBOOK, 4K UHD, BLU-RAYTM, DVD & DIGITAL DOWNLOAD FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Own it Early on Digital Download on December 30, and 4K Steelbook, 4K UHD, Blu-rayTM and DVD on January 13
Evil resurfaces in Derry as director Andy Muschietti reunites the Losers Club in a return to where it all began with “IT Chapter Two,” the conclusion to the highest-grossing horror film of all time, on 4K Steelbook, 4K UHD, Blu-rayTM, DVD and Digital Download.
The film is Muschietti’s follow-up to 2017’s critically acclaimed and massive global box office hit “IT,” which grossed more than $700 million worldwide. Both redefining and transcending the genre, “IT” became part of the cultural zeitgeist.
Twenty-seven years after the Losers Club defeated Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), he has returned to terrorize the town of Derry once more. Now adults, the Losers have long since gone their separate ways. However, people are disappearing again, so Mike (Isaiah Mustafa), the only one of the group to remain in their hometown, calls the others home. Damaged by the experiences of their past, they must each conquer their deepest fears to destroy Pennywise once and for all... putting them directly in the path of the shape-shifting clown that has become deadlier than ever.
The opening scene of IT Chapter Two is horrific, but in a different way to what you might expect... Nothing to do with mystical horror, but everything to do with the small town, small-minded homophobia and hatred that is still sadly prevalent throughout parts of America and the UK. In the scene a young guy is beaten to the brink of death before being thrown off a bridge into a freezing river only to find Pennywise waiting for him. Not to save him of course but to devour him. It's a distressing scene for many reasons, but it's also brilliant.
The cast are all decent although I wouldn't have chosen James McAvoy for the lead role, and Jessica Chastain seems to have landed the role of Beverley simply because she has auburn hair. I enjoyed Bill Hader as Richie whilst the others were somewhat forgettable.
Andy Muschietti directs with assuredness and the film is slick throughout. I hear that Muschietti is even hinting at a possible third chapter.
The first instalment felt much more tightly plotted than Chapter Two which follows each of the Loser's Club's stories individually rather than as a group. Several of these stories where each of the characters faces personal demons in a bid to find important objects that can be used to kill Pennywise could have been cut for pacing reasons because they are very similar in nature and therefore somewhat repetitive.
Of course the film and indeed the story lives or dies on the strength of the character of Pennywise and if the actor playing him doesn't live up to expectation the film is going to be disappointing. Thankfully Bill Skarsgard is perfect for the role. He's absolutely outstanding. You thought Tim Curry was really good in the 80s version? Yes he was. But Skarsgard is on another level. He's creepy in ways you can't quite yet imagine until you've seen the film. His physicality is something else. This guy of the sort of actor that only comes along occasionally. And what is the biggest flaw of Chapter Two? That Skarsgard is only on screen for such a short space of time. This film needs more of the clown. The film is at its best when Skarsgard is on screen.
The “IT Chapter Two” Blu-ray is a limited edition 2 disc Blu-ray that features over 90 minutes of additional content including the never seen before documentary ’The Summers of IT’.
The 4K Ultra HD Blu-rayTM disc of “IT Chapter Two” will feature Dolby VisionTM HDR, which dramatically expands the colour palette and contrast range, and uses dynamic metadata to automatically optimise the picture for every screen, frame by frame. It will also feature HDR10+TM, a new HDR technology that optimises brightness levels and contrast for each scene, making bright areas brighter and dark areas darker to deliver a lifelike viewing experience.
The Ultra HD Blu-rayTM disc of “IT Chapter Two” will feature a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack remixed specifically for the home cinema environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers are required, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar. However, Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.
The 2-film collection of “IT” and “IT Chapter Two” will also be available on DVD, Blu- ray and digital download.
Fans can also own “IT Chapter Two” on digital download from December 30.
4K, BLU-RAYTM AND DVD ELEMENTS
“IT Chapter Two” 4K UHD and Blu-rayTM contain the following special features:
• Pennywise Lives Again!
• This Meeting of the Losers Club Has Officially Begun
• Finding the Deadlights
• The Summers of IT: Chapter One, You’ll Float Too
• The Summers of IT: Chapter Two, IT Ends
• Commentary with Director Andy Muschietti
“IT Chapter Two” DVD contains the following special features:
• Finding the Deadlights
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.
