Trying out 2017 thriller's Get Out, Split, and It Comes at Night, I had thought I was seeing my first "horror" films but realized they were not quite part of the horror genre (which is why I think I liked them so much). Well my first experience in the genre started out with a bang after this past week's viewing of this classic story I've always known about. And that story is none other than Stephen King's IT.
Haven't *actually* read IT. Nor have I seen the classic 1990's Tim Curry starred mini series - I have seen a great amount of scenes to know of "it" though. Like in the story itself, I've always felt the presence of the dancing clown in pop culture (though I've never been afraid of clowns) growing up and it was fun to see an updated version that spoke to both 80's kids but also those growing in the 21st century such as myself.
Prolific author Stephen King has had many of his iconic stories brought to the life on the big and small screen making him the most adapted author living today and fifth all time - but 2017's IT may be the best of them all.
Director Andrés Muschietti did a great job of handling some things for this film that I definitely need to mention:
I knew enough of this story to have certain expectations going into the theater and recognized easter eggs that spoke of elements within the Stephen King universe when I saw them. Little images or subtle word drops here and there to get people excited but also to pay homage to the previous versions of this horrific tale and I loved how Muchietti weaved them into the film.
Doing that also helped him get away with the changes he made to help adapt the story better for the big screen without fans being upset. And by the way, all of his changed were pretty much perfect for the 2017 IT.
The scares of the original mini series were definitely scary. But they haven't aged amazingly well. Not terrible, but not great either. The original series success hinged on Tim Curry's performance as Pennywise more than anything. It ended up balancing out with the slow pacing and not great overall adaption, making it a small success in the end.
2017's IT? Much scarier. Like most horror films, IT's budget was incredibly small: $35 million. Yet IT felt like an A-list film, with a great script, top notch acting (how about those kids huh?), and of course the action and effects were stellar and scary.
Bill Skarsgard (left) shines as the demonic entity known as IT
While I won't get into ALL the nitty gritty things of the film, there were so many slight things that Muschietti added or upped in contrast to the 1990 that drastically changed the film and it's set pieces. It was so perfect. Nothing was over the top goofy, crazy or nonsensical. But yet it was so much MORE. Camera angle choices, length between scares, music, the amount of action and screams. Not too much. But not dull and lacking either.
The smart decisions made by Muschietti helped give the film an elite feel and it has made a record setting $123 million in it's opening weekend. Pretty sweet for filmmakers to accomplish that. While I never have watched horror before this, I am told this was a refreshing film within the genre. I'll take their word for it.
The premise of IT pits a group of kids against a being that preys on the fear of younglings, creating a battle for the ages where survival only comes by overcoming your worst fears.
Of course now for the thing everyone wants to know: how was star Bill Skarsgard as the titular character especially in contrast to the iconic Curry performance. Well let me tell you.
Instead of creating a goofy yet sinister clown that's always cracking jokes - Skarsgard's Pennywise is a much quieter and intense villain and yet his presence is felt throughout. He doesn't go for the grand presentation. He's more focused on toying with the children one by one, creating a slow build of paranoia and insanity. Starting out playful in the beginning, Pennywise slowly becomes a demented being and is practically obsessed with taking our this group that's actually challenging him which adds to the intensity that rises ever so subtly in the plot.
Skarsgard may not be the fun, quotable clown like Curry, but his performance was menacing and so much more nightmarish. He most definitely out duels Curry, despite having had less screen time (135), while Curry got a 192 minute run time. I can't wait for what Bill does with part two.
Bill Skarsgard (right) will always be compared with Tim Curry for his portrayal of Pennywise the Dancing Clown
- but really, is there any debate?
I do NOT recommend this film for any young people nor anyone who are at all worried going into the theater. I myself am confident and not scared easily. After the film I found I had a bounce in my step and was almost afraid to look behind me.
Did Heath Ledger's Joker frighten you in anyway? Then Bill Skarsgard's Pennywise will scar you for life. Skarsgard himself had to question his decision to take on this role when filming a scene in which the kids are all screaming in fear of Pennywise.
At the end of the day, I'm not a "fan" of the horror genre. I find them dull and pointless despite the jump scares, blood, gore and an overabundance of violence. So why do I promote this film? It's got a point. Not only does IT promote the overcoming of fear while helping focus more on the kids and not the clown, making sure you're emotionally connected to them throughout the story. It's not some film that glorifies the blood and violence. IT ends with Pennywise cowering in fear himself because the children no longer dread him, and then disappears into the depths of a well to escape.
It's thrilling adventure that truly is a horror inside of a coming of age story.
Final Grade: 9/10
