Movie Review: IT 2017

Andy Muschietti's adaptation of the terrifying mini-series got several jumps and screams out of the audience. The summer of 1989 in Derry, Maine becomes a nightmare for the Losers Club. The kids in the Losers Club, including Bill Denbrough (Jaeden Lieberher), Ben Hanscom (Jeremy Ray Taylor), Beverly Marsh (Sophia Lillis), Richie Tozier (Finn Wolfhard), Mike Hanlon (Chosen Jacobs), Eddie Kaspbrak (Jack Dylan Grazer), and Stanley Uris (Wyatt Oleff), have to find a way to fight off Pennywise the Dancing Clown who comes out of hibernation every 27 years. This movie was a blend of suspense and horror, but there were definitely some very funny parts from a few characters in the Losers Club. Since IT has been out, it has even earned the top grossing horror movie in history, passing The Exorcist. The blend of the many genres was a smart move, so the audience could scream, laugh, and be on the tip of their toes.

In the beginning of the film, there is of course the very famous "Georgie" scene, which is considered one of the greatest movie openings. In my opinion, nothing can beat the 1990 "Georgie" scene, but the 2017 opening scene was still well thought of, but much more graphic than the 1990 version. For the most part, Beverly Marsh, the only girl member of the Losers Club, is very independent. There is one part, however, where Beverly needs saving from the rest of the club. One of the scariest scenes was when the club faced their fears and went into the House on Neibolt Street, where there would proceed to be several jump scares, and even an encounter with Pennywise the Dancing Clown himself. Bill Skarsgård gave an astounding performance of Pennywise, as well as did Tim Curry in the mini-series.

A few of the scenes that stuck out to me were the sewer scenes. Considering that it was just put together on the set, the scenes in Pennywise's lair seemed very real. Andy Muschietti was taking on a very hard role when he wanted to direct a new IT movie. Since several parts were very different from the original, he made them even scarier since you didn't know what was coming. The casting in this movie, however, was very well chosen. Each child actor perfectly fit his or her role in the movie. Jaeden Lieberher, who played Bill, gave an amazing performance of Bill Denbrough, and throughout the movie is trying to figure out how his brother, Georgie, might still be alive. Several scenes will leave you gasping, and wondering what will happen next. The theme song was one of the main things that stuck out to me, as it is completely original. I was not a fan of the Pennywise costume at first when the picture came out, but now don't think it is as bad.

There were definitely several parts in this movie where the audience around me was laughing their heads off. I think that Finn Wolfhard and Jack Dylan Grazer were the two funniest actors in the film. Considering that the children were only 11 or 12 at the time of the shooting, this makes their acting skills seem even better. Even Stephen King himself said that the youthful actors were amazing. One thing that I always have to think about in IT, is that several children are going missing in the span of a short time, but the town doesn't seem to neither notice nor care. Besides Finn Wolfhard who starred in Stranger Things, IT was a big break for the rest of the child actors. IT (2017), I am sure, will be remembered for quite a while.

Overall, IT was a very well put together movie, with amazing performances, specifically from the child actors. Although some parts definitely made some people scream, several parts related more to a Stand By Me type of film, as each character is growing up and learning how to interact with each other. I would definitely recommend this movie who is looking for a scare, a laugh, and a very fun time! In conclusion, I would rate this movie an 8/10.