Movie Review: It

Starring: Bill Skarsgård, JaedenLieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, JackDylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Nicholas Hamilton

Directed By:  Andy Muschietti

Plot: Based on the famed novella by Stephen King, It tells the story of a group of bullied kids, called The Losers Club who band together to fight a shape-shifting entity who feeds on fear who appears in the form of a clown.

Review:

When it comes to adapting Stephen King’s work onto the big screen, sometimes it works, most of the time it fails. We only have a few films that truly captures the essence of King’s stories. And for the latest adaptation of It, we can safely say it captured the essence and delivered it in a big way.

Director Andy Muschietti brings to life one of King’s best novellas. Previously adapted into a made for TV Movie back 1990, this version gets darker and bloodier. It also focused on only one chapter of The Losers Club’s lives, their childhood.

It is all about terror, fear, hope and the bond between friends. And like the novella, the film delivers these factors. What makes this film works aside from the script are the actors. The Losers Club, or the seven kids who fight It, delivers memorable performances. And these are just kids whose age ranges from 10 to 12 years old. They clearly are able to portray emotions and direct it the audience. It is because of their acting that makes us feel fear for It. And it’s not just fear, they deliver laughs as well which balances the film enough.

Of course, It would not be It if not for, well It or famously known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Bill Skarsgård brings his own adaptation of the terrorizing clown and it is fitting to this film iteration. It is a good thing that he made his own Pennywise and did not try to copy Tim Curry’s Pennywise from the TV film. Curry’s was a level of terror on its own and he is well known for delivering that role very well. Skarsgård manages to make his own Pennywise and made it fitting to the tone of the film.

It is a well-adapted film. It manages to bring to life the key elements of the novella as well as the emotional toll each of our characters went through. Muschietti manages to bring a balance between terror and humor. When you watch this film, you will laugh and jump from your seats. Your eyes will shine and most of the times you will cover them just to avoid the clown.

Cinematography was one key component on why this film delivers. Most of the film is shot in the dark, moist tunnels. Basically, the scenery is its own character in the film and camera movement and angling was well executed making it mix well with the entire narrative.

The special effects are well executed and fully in detail. Bringing to life Pennywise is no mere feat as well as bringing to life It’s various forms. But the practical and special effects and the make-up delivers in making the characters come to life.

All in all, It is a terrifying ride. Its message is deep and its scares are memorable. The film delivers more than just scares. It shows the different human personalities and the difference between the belief and resilience of kids than adults. It will leave you both scared and hopeful for the next chapter of The Losers Club. I give It 8 out of 10.