IT Chapter Two 4K Ultra HD

"IT" is set 27 years after the Losers Club defeated Pennywise (Skarsgard), when he has returned to terrorize the town of Ferry once more. Now adults, the Losers have long since gone their separate ways. However, people are disappearing again, so Mike (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. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director Andy Muschietti; five featurettes: "Pennywise Lives Again!" (HD 09:55), "This Meeting Of The Losers Club Has Officially Begun" (HD 08:12), "Finding he Deadlights" (HD 06:18), "The Summers Of IT: Chapter One, You'll Float Too" (HD 35:38) and "The Summers Of IT: Chapter Two, IT Ends" (HD 39:30); upfront previews and a Movies Anywhere digital code. (Gary Reber)

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10/Dolby Vision picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally in anamorphic Hawk Scope using the Arri Alexa Mini, Arri Alexa SXT, and Arri Alexa XT camera systems and sourced from a 2K (not 4K) master Digital Intermediate format. As the 2K Digital Intermediate has been upconverted to 2160p, there is no real gain in native resolution. The color gamut is wide and exhibits natural color with warmth. Pennywise's white makeup and blood-red stripes on his face are very vivid, and the settings are perfectly natural. The filtered greens and blues intensify the climax scene. Fleshtones appear natural throughout within the context of the varied lighting effects. HDR contrast is excellent with alternate bright and dark scenes that enhance the dramatic effect. The use of spotlighting and lighting effects, such as flash lights in a dilapidated old house, showcase the brilliant use of HDR. Black levels and shadow delineation are excellent. The nighttime scene at the carnival is one example of effective contrast rendering. In one scene, Pennywise is almost completely shrouded in blackness underneath bleachers, yet one can appreciate the excellent level of detail. Then resolution is superb throughout with respect to all of the characters, their facial features and dress, as well object textures that enhance each scene.

WOW! segments are from 40:44 to 43:22, 01:10:28 to 01:12:18, 01:15:40 to 01:16:58, 01:43:53 to 01:46:32, 02:09:12 to 02:14:12, and 02:28:28 to 02:30:28.

This is a terrific presentation that delivers horrific imagery and visual dramatics that will thrill "IT" fans. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is very dynamic with nuanced quiet moments, often with subtle orchestral background that suddenly explodes with bass intensity and SPL energy. The music is nicely complementary with a wide and deep soundstage that extends to the surrounds and envelops the soundfield. At times, bass frequencies extend to sub-25 Hz and are especially powerful in the .1 LFE channels. The bass serves as an effective foundation for the music and to create suspenseful forboding. Foley sound effects are excellent. Other sound effects provide the spooks and at times deliver discrete directionalization in individual channels. Dialogue is intelligible with good spatial delineation.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of appropriate choral music extension, occassional subtle ambient sounds and sound effects such as bubbling water, balloon pops, syntheizer sounds, crowd noise, demon laughter, screams from the sewer, Pennywise yells, sounds of heads pounding, and Pennywise growls. So much opportunity was ignored, which would have made this a really terrific height layer enhancement, but the filmmakers failed to execute.

This is a dynamic, deep bass-favored Holosonic® soundtrack that delivers an effects sense of fearful apprehension. (Gary Reber)