It Chapter Two Blu-ray Review

"It Chapter Two" is presented on Blu-ray by Warner Brothers Home Entertainment with an impressive AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Captured using various Arri Alexa models, the cinematography by Checco Varese hones a distinctive aesthetic that differentiates it from its predecessor. The film boasts a stylish, visually engaging presentation, particularly evident in the flashbacks to the 1980s, which feature a warm, summer-like palette, capturing a nostalgic essence. Both contemporary and retro scenes exhibit excellent fine detail levels. The transfer maintains high definition sharpness throughout, even in heavily graded or unusually lit sequences that lean on yellows and blues, though some moments may appear softer, particularly in CGI scenes.

The Blu-ray excels in showcasing the film's finely textured environments. The encode reveals intricate details, evident in the town’s architecture, street settings, and Pennywise’s eerie lair. Every blade of grass, sign lettering, and background object stands out with clarity. Facial textures are exceptionally lifelike, adding to the immersive quality of the experience. The transfer delivers spot-on contrast with brilliant whites and radiating highlights, enhancing dramatic moments like the climactic battle against Pennywise. Deep, inky blacks and rich shadow details ensure that even the darkest scenes maintain high visual integrity. Vibrant primary colors and luscious secondary hues enhance the spooky atmosphere, making elements like Pennywise's reds and oranges notably vivid.

Overall, "It Chapter Two" on Blu-ray offers a captivatingly clear and detailed visual presentation that fans of high-quality video will appreciate. Despite minor softness in select scenes, the majority of the transfer upholds an impressive level of detail and clarity, making it a standout viewing experience.

"It Chapter Two" offers an impressively crafted Dolby Atmos track that delivers consistent immersion with meticulously designed overhead effects and deep, rumbling LFE. The sound design expertly blends real ambient environmental effects with low frequency synth patches, creating a foreboding atmosphere that heightens the tension in key sequences. Particularly, scenes like the carnivalesque attack are elevated by a plethora of surround activity and discrete channel placements, making the experience viscerally captivating.

The mixing of dialogue, score, and effects is handled with excellent prioritization and wide dynamic range, ensuring clarity and impact throughout. The soundtrack mirrors the immersive quality found in the Ultra HD version, maintaining its high standards of audio excellence. The Dolby Atmos track here is exceptionally engaging and well-produced, offering no issues and providing an overall dynamic auditory experience. (Dolby Atmos Audio Rating: 96/100)

The Blu-ray extras for "It Chapter Two" provide an invaluable glimpse into the making of the movie, focusing on detailed interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and insightful featurettes. The director's commentary by Andy Muschietti is particularly commendable for offering a comprehensive view of his creative process and vision. "The Summers of IT" is split into two engaging featurettes that capture the journey from the first film to the sequel through candid interviews and footage, while "Pennywise Lives Again" focuses on Bill Skarsgård’s chilling transformation into the infamous clown. The brief yet comprehensive "This Meeting of The Losers' Club Has Officially Begun" delves into the dual portrayal of characters by child and adult actors, and "Finding the Deadlights" offers an enlightening discussion with Stephen King about the book's themes.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Director Andy Muschietti: Insightful director’s commentary.
• The Summers of IT - Chapter One: You'll Float, Too: In-depth look at the making of the first film.
• The Summers of IT - Chapter Two: IT Ends: Continues examining the sequel’s production.
• Pennywise Lives Again: Focused piece on Skarsgård’s portrayal.
• This Meeting of The Losers' Club Has Officially Begun: Interviews with cast on character development.
• Finding the Deadlights: Stephen King discusses his novel’s themes.

It Chapter Two delves back into the fictional town of Derry, Maine, reigniting the terrifying return of Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Bill Skarsgård) after 27 years. Directed by Andy Muschietti and penned by Gary Dauberman, the film oscillates between the '80s and contemporary times, using flashbacks to explore the characters' past and present. This dual timeline approach infuses an almost elegiac tone, enhancing the emotional weight of the narrative. The Losers' Club, now adults, are portrayed by a stellar ensemble cast including James McAvoy as Bill Denbrough and Jessica Chastain as Beverly Marsh. Despite their adult successes, their return to Derry forces them to confront their deepest traumas and Pennywise’s horrors afresh, delivering both nostalgic charm and potent scares.

King's hallmark—the battle against omnipotent evil by perceived underdogs—remains central. The film is unflinching in depicting mundane evils like bullying and homophobia, exemplified by a brutal opening sequence involving a hate crime that heralds Pennywise's return. The scattering of personal histories—Bill's writer's block, Richie’s comedic success coupled with hidden turbulence, Eddie's neurotic yet professional stability—further deepens the characters’ arcs. This emotional entanglement is deftly balanced with the horror as nightmare-induced visions plague their quest to vanquish Pennywise.

Comparatively longer than its predecessor, It Chapter Two may feel overextended but compensates with strong performances and impactful storytelling. Skarsgård’s rendition of Pennywise retains its eerie charm, blending malevolence with a disturbing innocence. Although the climactic CGI-heavy confrontation risks veering into unintended comedy, the film redeems itself with a touching denouement. Ultimately, the movie not only honors its horror roots but also provides moving insights into confronting fears, both supernatural and deeply personal.

Director Andy Muschietti and writer Gary Dauberman team up again for "It: Chapter Two," a continuation of Stephen King's iconic tale about the malevolent Pennywise. Anchored in an emotional narrative arc that revisits characters at two pivotal stages in their lives, the film balances substantial character development with horror-driven intrigue. Although some viewers might find the nearly three-hour runtime excessive and wish for more frequent scares, the film's mix of significant jolts and touching moments provides a well-rounded experience.

From a technical standpoint, "It: Chapter Two" excels with top-tier visuals and sound. The Blu-ray presentation is near-reference quality, boasting vibrant nightmarish visuals that immerse viewers in the world of Derry. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is demo-worthy, offering a creepily immersive auditory experience that heightens suspenseful scenes. Despite a limited selection of supplements, key features such as the "Summers" featurettes stand out for their charme and enjoyability, adding extra value to the overall package.

In conclusion, It: Chapter Two is a surprisingly emotional horror film that crafts a moving story with prismatic character reflections across two epochs of their lives. The film may feel overlong for some, and the scares too sporadic, but it successfully delivers both jolts and emotional resonance. With first-rate technical merits and engaging supplements, this Blu-ray is highly recommended for devoted horror aficionados.