IT (2017)

[Shin Mefilas]

Ok so I just got back from seeing this latest adpation of the Stephen King's novel. Befor I go any further I give the obligitory spoiler warrnings, as I wil be talking about both the film and its ties to the novel. However I will try not to give to much away at the same time.

 

 

I had watched the mini series once and only read the novel this years so I am relitively detached from most of King's works bare some of the movie adaptions now and then over the years. Going in my expectations were a bit mixed as the trailers gave me much to look forward to but also stuff that made me role my eyes a bit. Simple put I walked in open minded but praying they did not screw this up as I had come to really enjoy the novel. And I have to say they did a pretty good job, to the point may very well gon on my most faviort movie list beside Jurassic Park and Alien. 

The film makers made some very wise choices with the film. They cut out the entire adult half of the story for this film, a goods choice due to the fact that while haveing what are effectively two novels running side by side, and flitting between eachother, in a novel can works there is simple to much informastion to try to cram in without the film become bloated and confusing. Moveing its setting  to 1988 - 1989 was a good choice as and dose not affect the films story in any way nor is it thrown in your face that much. Much of the more.....stranger elements of the novel were either thrown out completly or made much more subtle which honestly helps the story as a whole again and helps keep IT a more enigmatic and scary being.

However one flaw that dose crop up by throwing out the adult half of the story means that, while well paced, the childrens encounters with IT quickly occur one after another at times rather then haveing any breaks but I feel that that was an eventable issue in its own right and dose not harm the narative to much.

As to wither you will find the film a horror or thriller is a tough one as it fits in both catagories. Really Horror is as subjective as its counterpart Humor, what scares the piss out of one is not even going to raise the heart rate of another. The film also keeps away from slasher levels of gore but is not afriade to let the blood flow either. 

All the main focus child actors do a very exeptional job, better then many adults I could name. None of them bleed into eachother or get lost in the group although some play more prominante roles then others. The only real weak spot is in the writing and role swapping of two of the characters Ben and Mike, with Ben's orignal characteristics being taken out and replaced with Mikes, while Mike's entire character is noticable different. Why this was done I dont know and its not too bad but if you are awaire of either the book or the series it will stick out like a sore thumb.

The minor cast is used well but a good chunk of many characters stories were cut. However their importance to the main cast and their fears  is still well depicted in the film.

Now comes the big one. Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise. 

If your expecting the clown to be the way he was in the mini-series you will be disapointed. If you wanted a proper depiction of the character your going to be happy. Curry's iconic Pennywise was the result of the series not haveing the budget to properly emulate the book. Since they could not afford to do all the monsters IT turns into, Curry's Pennywise to center stage. Due to this Pennywise become an icone that actually overshadowed IT's true nature to the point that most see IT as only a killer clown. In reality Pennywise is just another form IT takes, just like any other. While its true IT seems to treat Pennywise as a faithful pair of old shoes or a shirt, it is the form IT most often takes, Pennywise is not IT's true nature. As a side note some people have gotten the idea that IT is called Robert "Bob" Gray, this is not true as the name is only ever used in connection to the form of Pennywise rather then IT's self. That all being said Skarsgård effectively brings Pennywise to life but more as a other worldy  horror rather then just a demonic clown. As a whole I much prefered this interpritastion. What aslo helps is that while often seen, Pennywise is not as overused. While its a shame that none of the classic movie monsters make an apperance, exept for nod to the Wolfman and a very brief apperance by a Mummy (keep your eyes peeled), the film chooses instaed to focus on the childrens more personal fears, ones frounded in their lives and honestly this comes plays out more effectively I feel.

So on the whole the film dose a dame fine job of bringing IT to life on the big screen as far as I'm concerned. While not perfect, and nothing is, is is a very solid film in its own right as well as an adaption.

Big Spoilers: While I did say a good chunk of the stories more otherworldy and strange elements were cut....

 

1) The Deadlights do put in an apperance.

2) Keep your eyes and ears open for signs of ...... The Turtle.

 

Edited September 11, 2017 by ...IT

[*guyverfan]

Well, the first one scared the crap out of me in some parts, so going on how creative these film makers have become in horror movies and the effects available to them today, this version would probably give me a heart attack and nightmares. So i guess i'll be staying away from this one.

But i know my brother loved it.

[Sully]

Saw it last night.

There we some proper good scary things in there that will make you jump. The actor they got for Pennywise this time around was also properly scary and is a great performance. It doesn't hold back either. So yeah I have to say I was impressed.

[H222G981]

I really enjoyed the movie. I liked how they chose the actors, they did a very fine job.  I'm just wondering when it comes out on home media so I can add it to my dvd collection.