Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 135 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Fin Wolfhard, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff
Description: A group of bullied kids band together when a shapeshifting demon, taking the appearance of clown, begins hunting children.
Review: Stephen King’s horror novel “It” was turned into film for the first time in 1990. This made for television film isn’t timeless. It’s a bit outdated and the acting and special effects are a bit cheesy nowadays. It was Tim Curry’s performance that make this film memorable. Because of nostalgia, this film survived for so long. But “It” has been ready for a remake for a while.
Now, 27 years later, it’s finally here. The film focusses on the younger years of the characters, so we don’t see them as adults. In the book we do. And it seems like a very good decision, because there is a lot to be told.
The seven young characters, who call themselves the “Loser Club”, all have to deal with their own problems. Director Andy Muschietti takes time to give each character a solid backstory. That’s difficult with so many characters, and not all of them get that depth. But enough to make you care about them.
After a short introduction, all of them are confronted with their biggest fear. And there is some creepy stuff going on. The film has a good tempo. All seven eventually meet the clown Pennywise, who is the only thing that all the children see. It lives on the fears of kids.
The film is set in the eighties, so it still has that nostalgia. And it also somehow feels like a coming-of-age film. Most important is that the kids try to face their fears and overcome them. And this horror film actually has depth, which is hard to find in many films with that genre.
The young cast is really good, they never overdo it and you van really feel their fear. You take them seriously and the dialogue almost feels adult-like. Bill Skarsgård portrays Pennywise. Completely different from Tim Curry. He isn’t as predictable and he is darker than the previous Pennywise. He portrayed him so he will eventually haunt your dreams.
Did this movie scare me? Yes! I’m not very keen on clowns in the first place, but this film is genuinely scary.
Rating: 4,5/ 5
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