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It (2017) Movie Review & Reaction

Pennywise Petrifies Prepubescent Pupils.... From Derry. (ish)

By Mark HughesPublished 7 years ago 4 min read
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I had some reservations when they first announced a remake of the 1990 version of IT that starred the incredible Tim Curry. No, it’s not because I hold the original in such high esteem that I think it’s blasphemy to remake the film. It appears remakes are becoming a bit of a trend with the top film studios lately and I don’t see the fun in redoing what’s already been seen. What I would prefer to see is a completely new story made up, but still using some of the same characters. This would feel more original and still keep audiences coming to watch it in the cinema if they know the cinematic favourites like Pennywise the clown are involved.

However, after just watching the 2017 version of IT directed by Andy Muschietti, he has managed to create a film that feels like it’s a part of something bigger. It makes you feel like you’re really delving into the history of the town of Derry in which the film is set. Although it’s very similar to the 1990 TV movie version, he’s made some changes to mix it up. His version of IT has changed the timeline to what the book was. The book is set in the 1950s, however in the 2017 film we first meet our main characters in 1988. He also made some amendments to the type of fears the supporting characters have from the book, one’s that Pennywise the villain exploits. It’s the little things like that which keeps the audience on the toes because that’s not what they’ve seen before.

The director has truly found a way to capture the style of a Stephen King book. The film certainly had the same feel to Stand by Me, another classic novel by Stephen King that was turned into a great film, with the story following a few friends that are considered to be "losers;" getting themselves in to all sorts of mischief and battling bullies that appear to be psychotic.

I was disappointed when the original director Cary Fukunaga and original star Will Poulter left the project due to creative differences with the studio. Fukunaga is a talented director and he directed all 8 episodes of the first season of True Detective which in my opinion is the best season of television ever made. However, after hearing the rumours of what the creative differences were with the studio, I’m sort of glad he was removed from directing and writing the script. He apparently wanted to keep a lot of the source material from Stephen King’s novel, which in most people’s opinion would be preferred, but the scenes of rape and insinuations of underage sex isn’t a great subject to show on screen. Fukunaga still has a writing credit on the final film, and a lot of the changes the studio wanted were done by Muschietti when he came on board to the project.

There’s always a worry when you’re watching multiple younger actors on the big screen that it might not look as professional as they just don’t have the experience yet to give us an all round performance. However, they absolutely nailed it, the acting is fantastic. Jeremy Ray Taylor who plays Ben Hanscom and Sophia Lillis who plays Beverly Marsh stand out for their performances. It’s strongly hinted in the film that Beverly is being sexually assaulted by her Father and her timid, scarred approach to the character is exquisitely played out.

Bill Skarsgard, yes another Skarsgard family member in Hollywood, portrays the insatiable killer clown Pennywise. There was a lot of pressure on Skarsgard, as so many hold Tim Curry’s Pennywise in such high admiration; anyone else playing the character was always going to be highly scrutinized. There was no need to worry, because as scary as this version of Pennywise was he also had that humour factor, that crazed Joker type of humour that has made Pennywise so infamous today. He’s maniacal, delusional, vicious, haunting, and such a showman. There’s one scene where he’s showing his stage performance dance to Beverly’s character, and it’s so eerily creepy you just can’t keep your eyes off of it.

The film has a beginning, middle and end, even though as an audience we know there’s going to be a sequel with the adult version of the kids, it could be sold as its own entity and people would be fairly satisfied with the conclusion.

The sequel is coming to cinema’s in 2019, and I’m hoping for some great casting for the adults. Amy Adams, in my opinion, would be the perfect Beverly character, her performance in Arrival in particular showed us she can own a character with a turbulent past... or future if you’ve seen the film and want to be pedantic.

I recommend seeing IT. Go for Pennywise, go for great character building and leave feeling pumped for the inevitable sequel.

8/10!

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About the Creator

Mark Hughes

I enjoy watching films and television. I enjoy writing about them just as much!

Question: Best superhero film?

Answer: Super

Reason: "Shut up, crime!" Need I say more?

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