It (2017) - Movie Review
27 years later, Stephen King's IT has returned to haunt theaters worldwide for the first time since its debut on the small screen in 1990. However, was its return warranted? Let's find out and break down the 2017 adaptation of IT.
It is directed by Andy Muschietti and is not only based off Stephen King's iconic 1986 novel of the same name, but also a remake of the 1990 TV mini-series of the same name.
A group of unpopular kids are forced to combat a demonic shape-shifting entity that has been responsible for the disappearance of multiple kids in their small town of Derry, Maine in the summer of 1989 while the group also deals with their own personal demons along the way.
Whether you've found it scary or not, Tim Curry's 1990 stint as Pennywise the Clown has certainly left a mark on audiences. According to an article from Vanity Fair, people are still deathly afraid of clowns and traumatized thanks to Curry's portrayal.
Personally, I've never found Curry's Pennywise frightening in the slightest. However on the contrary, Bill Skarsgard's Pennywise is the thing of nightmares and in the best way.
The first reveal of Skarsgard's Pennywise may have been met with some hesitation by the public, but his performance in It has proven the naysayers wrong.
Pennywise is gleefully terrifying, while simultaneously being a very unsettling character in the eyes of the kids he is antagonising. It's scary how much of a predator Pennywise is and how far the fiend will go to hurt these kids.
Speaking of the kids that make up the "Losers Club", all of their respective performances were fantastic across the board. The group's chemistry together is essentially what's carrying the narrative. In particular, Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard (awesome name) gives a great standout performance.
What is easily the most impressive aspect of It is its sense of balance. While this film is being marketed as a horror-thriller movie, it is a layer-upon-layer story at its core. The film not only manages to take the genre of horror and put fun twists on its cliches, but it's also able to incorporates concepts of a "coming-of-age" film.
There are great, running themes of growing up as a child and I appreciate that film doesn't brush over these ideas right away. It does touch on the harsh truths about the intensity of childhood experiences, not to mention the things we do and don’t let go of as we age in life.
Final Take
Imagine if you took The Goonies and put a supernatural spin on it. That's the package deal you'll receive with It. It's is scary how good this new incarnation of the Losers Club and Pennywise has been translated into 2017. It is an extremely well-crafted, well-acted horror feature with a lot more heart and layers than most would expect.
I'm going to give It a solid "A" on the movie grading scale. Sign me up for Part 2! Also, let's agree not dress up like clowns again. That was so last year. Just go out and see It.
As always, thanks so much for reading and make sure to stay posted to Frank’s Takes for more reviews. Until next time, keep it 100.
