I'd counter-argue: Let's be real: A group of adults banding together to defeat an ancient evil is infinitely more believable than a group of kids doing it. And I found that portion of the novel and the original mini-series to be just as engrossing, if not moreso.
As kids, the Losers looked after each other, but they mainly got by on luck since Pennywise was more focused on stoking their fear, despite having multiple opportunities to outright kill them.
As adults, the Losers relied less on luck and more on their past experience with Pennywise, as well as the information Mike dug up on Pennywise during the 27 year lull. I liked both halves of the story, but I enjoyed the second half more.
I was referring more to the chemistry being more believable in the first film rather than the second half, but I can respect that.
Again, not saying this to mean that it\'s a bad follow up, but as far as a definitive ending, it does fine.
Also, you do realize that the reason Pennywise didn\'t kill the kids upfront was because he at first saw them as nothing that serious to him, and scared flesh tastes better.
I wasn't disagreeing with the review, since I haven't seen the new It films yet (I'm waiting for the DVD/Blu-ray).
I was referring to the second half of the novel itself and the original mini-series. I always liked that part best, because now the Losers were grown and better prepared to face Pennywise (i.e. 'it's payback time').
As for the other part, I get why Pennywise didn't just kill the Losers whenever he had the chance, but what if he decided 'screw it' like he did with poor Georgie? Pennywise could've easily done the same to any of the Losers, but he chose to focus on scaring them instead.
Again, that\'s the type of person he is. He loved screwing with them and taking his time. Pennywise is a sadist first and foremost. I won\'t spoiler why he chose Georgie when first asked, but it amounts to For the Evulz.
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Okay Follow Up
Saw IT: Chapter Two Thursday, and I it was a pretty fun film. For those that have read the novel or watched the first chapter would know that 27 years after the events of the first film, It resurfaces in Derry, Maine, to continue its spree of terrorizing the denizens and eating its children. Mike Hanlon, the token black member of the Losers Club, remained in Derry to document information on how he and his friends could possibly destroy It if he ever returned. And sure enough, he had, thus began the revival of the blood oath they made years ago.
The acting is stellar for the most part. While many have already stated this, it is true; Bill Hader does an amazing job at portraying the grown up Richie Tozier. He carries most of the humor in the film, but when the time calls for emotion, he does fantastically. The other cast members also do a good job at portraying the grown up Losers and they do resemble them in some likeness, but I felt they weren't as impactful. Bill Skarsgard once again kills it as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, who here is actually a little more goofier, but nevertheless, the 27 years did nothing to file down his fangs. He's just as creepy as he was in the first film - maybe even more so.
Unfortunately, my issues with the film mostly lie in the writing. The film for starters is 3 hours long. Normally I don't mind long films. I mean Avengers: Endgame was roughly around the same length of time but I felt that it flew by quickly without me having to excuse myself for a bathroom break. It: Chapter Two, however, didn't need to be that long. I am aware that the novel is a long read, 1,138 to be exact (and I read it for a few months to complete it), but the side quests that the Losers go through really weigh down the runtime and are nowhere as interesting as they may as well should've been. There were also new additions to the film that I felt could've provided something new for a story that had already been established, but those moments are ultimately for nothing. The biggest issue, however, is the adults. The adult portion of the story was never my favorite part of the original book, not in the miniseries, and it's still there in this take. I guess what makes it problematic is that...let's be real: children being put into dangerous situations with an evil, ancient monster is infinitely more terrifying than adults facing those childhood traumas. This is especially true if you have little ones who you do not want to be put in harm's way. That is what made the book Pet Sematary and its 1989 adaptation scary. The adult portion of the It story was always the weakest of the two.
Overall, It: Chapter Two is a mixed bag. As a conclusion, it is definitive and mostly satisfying, but when you take what the first film had done, it comes off as more feeble.