CHEER! - (8 stars out of 10)

Rating: 8/10 (24 November 2019)

The stage curtains open ...
After the pleasant surprise of "It - Chapter One", I had high hopes going into this movie, the 2nd Chapter. And though it didn't quite measure up to the first one, it was pretty dang close. All-in-all, both movies together were very well made and executed. "It" delivers what's promised. To be honest, I'm a bit surprised at all the low ratings. What else did they expect?
In this installment, it is 27 years later, and Pennywise has resurfaced. Having taken an oath that if he ever came back, the 7 friends would come back to Derry and put him away - forever. All 7 have gone on to very different lives with their own set of new problems and challenges. And except for Mike, everyone has nearly forgotten the events of their childhood. Mike remembers because he stayed in Derry while the others have moved on. Once again, this time as adults, they have to face their own demons while finding a way to kill Pennywise. Oh yes, Henry Bowers has also come back and more dangerous than ever.
As was the case in the first film, the make-up and special effects were simply awesome. Skarsgard delivers again as Pennywise, and all the adult actors played their roles well. I think what makes the first film work better were the kids. In some respects, they were braver than the adult versions of themselves. Having said that though, this picks right up where the first one left off and finishes the story to satisfaction.
I loved both movies. I highly recommend them both. If you can, and want the full experience, watch them back-to-back like I did. It is time well spent and something I will be sure to do again. Awesome adaptation of the Stephen King classic (who also makes a nice little cameo in this film). 8 stars out of 10.