It: Chapter Two
Overview -
Based on Stephen King's novel, IT Chapter Two satisfyingly concludes a decades-long saga against the child-murdering clown Pennywise, but a nearly three-hour runtime is more likely to scare viewers away than the movie itself. Nevertheless, the sequel terrorizes Blu-ray with a gorgeous video presentation, a demo-worthy Dolby Atmos track but a small set of bonuses. Nevertheless, the overall HD package is Recommended for devoted horror fans.
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.
Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take
You can read our full thoughts on IT Chapter Two in our review of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray HERE.
Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray
Warner Home Video brings IT Chapter Two on Blu-ray as a three-disc combo pack with a Digital Copy code. The Region Free, BD50 disc sits comfortably opposite a DVD copy of the movie and a second BD25 disc containing supplements. All three are housed in a blue, eco-vortex case with a slipcover. At startup, viewers are taken to a generic static screen with the usual options along the bottom and music playing in the background.
Video Review
Nightmarish fears come to life on Blu-ray with an outstanding, highly-detailed 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode, exposing the minute features in the town's buildings, streets and Pennywise's creepy lair. The lettering on various signs and posters are always legible, every blade of grass and leaf is distinct, and the smallest object in the background is plainly visible. Facial complexions are highly revealing with lifelike textures. Although a few moments are slightly softer than others, the video overall is sharp with some demo-worthy segments.
The freshly-minted transfer arrives into Derry with spot-on contrast and crisp, brilliant whites, and highlights radiate with intensity, which is particularly nice during the climactic battle against Pennywise's true form. In fact, that entire sequence also comes with luxurious, inky blacks and dark, ebony shadows without sacrificing the finer aspects within the murkiest corners. Presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the presentation showers the spooky action with a surprisingly animated, richly-saturated array of primaries, and secondary hues are equally vibrant and sumptuous, making the reds and oranges in Pennywise really pop. (Video Rating: 94/100)
Audio Review
IT Chapter Two debuts on Blu-ray with the same awesomely fun Dolby Atmos soundtrack as its Ultra HD counterpart. For a more in-depth take on the audio quality, you can read our review of the 4K Ultra HD HERE. (Dolby Atmos Audio Rating: 96/100)
Special Features
For this UHD edition, Warner ports over the same set bonuses as the day-and-date Blu-ray.
Blu-ray Disc One
-
Audio Commentary with director Andy Muschietti
Blu-ray Disc Two
-
The Summers of IT (HD): Two-part featurette made mostly of cast & crew interviews, in-depth discussions on the two productions and lots of BTS footage.
-
Chapter One: You'll Float, Too (36 min)
-
Chapter Two: IT Ends (40 min)
-
Pennywise Lives Again (HD, 10 min): Focused piece on Bill Skarsgård's performance.
-
This Meeting of the Losers' Club Has Officially Begun (HD, 8 min): Interview discussions with the cast chatting about the characters growing from children into adults.
-
Finding the Deadlights (HD, 6 min): Stephen King talks about the novel's central theme.
Final Thoughts
Director Andy Muschietti and writer Gary Dauberman return for IT Chapter Two, based on a Stephen King's novel about a sewer-dwelling, child-murdering monster disguised as a clown terrorizing the sleepy town of Derry. Largely driven by an emotional plot, excellent performances and nightmarish visuals, the sequel is a strong and mostly satisfying conclusion to 2017's horror phenomenon, but the lack of scares and suspenseful story is barely enough to warrant or sustain a nearly three-hour runtime. Nevertheless, Pennywise lures its victims to Blu-ray with an outstanding, near-reference presentation and a fantastically creepy, demo-worthy Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Featuring a decent but small set of supplements, the overall package is ultimately recommended for devoted horror fans.
