Swear to me that if it isn't dead...we'll all come back. IT (2017)
PLOT - 27 years ago in the small down of Derry Maine, 7 outcast children all bond and band together over a summer when a mysterious entity is brutally murdering children. When one of the 7 children's younger brothers go missing, they slowly one by one begin to see this monster take shape in whatever is their biggest fear, mostly as a terrifying dancing clown. Here the children realize that they are the only ones that can see...and stop it. Together, they all fight trying to stop this creature before it's too late.
LOWDOWN - Back in 1990 I'm sure I'm speaking for many people my age when I confess that the made for TV miniseries IT completely destroyed them. Stephen King was a huge part of my childhood growing up since my mother was such an avid reader of his. I constantly heard about his latest novels as well as watching his movies on tape. Still, despite the classics such as Carrie, The Shinning, The Stand, Pet Sematary, Christine, and Graveyard Shift...IT scared me the worst. I still remember always covering my eyes and blocking my ears whenever Tim Curry's terrifying performance of Pennywise would appear on screen. I legit couldn't handle it. In fact, if I remember right one of the first vivid nightmares I remember was with Pennywise grabbing him. This guy and Freddy were my worst nightmares as a young child. Still, that didn't stop me from watching this 3+ hour movie over and over again.
Finally in high school I was slowly working my way through reading all of King's books when I decided to tackle the 1000+ page epic that my mother claimed was one of the most terrifying books she had ever read. I honestly couldn't believe how quickly I worked my way through this book, completely captivated as King made honestly in my eyes the scariest book he had ever written. In fact, shortly after finishing the book I had my sister (another avid King fan) read it and she even confessed reading it in the middle of the day would bother her. If you haven't read the book yet, don't let the size of it scare you. Truly RUN to not walk to your nearest bookstore and get a copy. I truly hope with the release of this version it will make more fans come around to reading King's masterpiece.
So years passed and I've in total re-read IT I would say 3/4 times, always enjoying it more and more with each time I pick it up. The miniseries was a staple as always. To me the young actors in that made for TV movie will forever be the Bill, Ben, Mike, Richie, Bev, Eddie, and Stan in my eyes. Nothing against the HIGHLY talented young actors they got this time around, but this miniseries was such a big part of my childhood, I had watched this first before finally reading the book. These actors are forever burned into my memory playing these richly developed characters. I do agree though, IT needed an update. NOT A REMAKE, but an update. I always wondered what could they have done if they made it into a film version. Instead of doing the miniseries and showing flashbacks, what if they were able to devote a whole 2+ hours just to focus on when they were children, and then do it again as adults. A few years ago for HorrorHound magazine I read a great article that gave this idea, as well as saying it should be split it into parts. This seems to be the new fashion lately, taking a movie that's too long, or too epic and splitting it in two. If the story is good enough, this does very well at the box office (The Hunger Games, Kill Bill, ect.) They had limits to what they could do on television in the early 90's, and clearly had to cut TONS out that made the book so scary. There were sensors and limits as well the time it was released in. I think some of the effects (mostly Pennywise himself) were great, but we have to remember this was nearly 30 years ago, some stuff looks cheesy and dated. Still, you have to admit Pennywise is one of King's most iconic monsters, and hardcore fans of the book were wondering when a film version would be made.
I will forever think of IT 1990 as the first stepping stone. This was the TV version (and trust me, the TV version isn't bad. In fact one of my all time favorite King movies is a made for TV movie...Rose Red.) But it makes a fan wonder, such as my above example. Rose Red is awesome, but what IF it had the chance to get a film version with no limits? Think of how wild! I hate that people see this as a remake because it wasn't. This wasn't a film before, this was the first film version of it ever. Salem's Lot both had made for TV movies, never an actual film version. If there had been a pre-existing film version I have to admit, I would be on the fence. I think we all remember the awful Carrie 2013 remake. Argh. Why fix something that isn't broken? For IT I wouldn't say stuff was broken for the miniseries, but highly needed to be updated to capture how terrifying the movie was.
As soon as I heard about production starting I tried to stay away to avoid spoilers. I did see a few images that instantly made my eyes widen. Right away things seemed interesting. What did throw me for a loop was first the change in actors playing Pennywise, change of the director, and then finally the shift in time from the 1950's when they were younger to the 1980's. At first I'll admit I was a little brat and hated that they changed this even though I understood they wanted it to match up to 27+ years. Still, I couldn't help but feel sorry that they weren't starting this in the 50's. Something about the innocence in that time seemed more realistic, still when I actually saw the finished film the time jump really didn't bother me at all.
Another thing I started to really jump on board about was the casting of young Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise. I adored Tim Curry in his performance, but as soon as leaked images came out I really dug this version of Pennywise, looking more like an older clown from the 1700's Vs the Circus clown Curry did. The fact Bill is younger than me blows me away (man I feel old) but I feel filling these massive clown shoes Curry left behind (I mean the man was responsible for millions of kids hating clowns for the rest of their life's.) and Bill stepped up, and did the job justice. He's a much darker version of Pennywise, but he brought something new to the table and I could respect it. I do think he was a little scarier than he didn't talk though. No offense to the guy, but him alone was enough for me.
As for the young actors they all brought something new and really did a stellar job playing this truly loved characters. Like I said whenever I read it I think I'll always think of the actors from the miniseries, but I'm really looking forward to re-reading it yet again to see if I can imagine these new guys. I really loved Bev, as well as Bill, Eddie (the gazebo line had me DYING) and Richie who is the same kid from Stranger Things. He actually made me laugh more than once. One thing I was a little standoffish was the change of making Ben the kid who has all the information on Derry Vs Mike. I found Mike's backstory a little weak and think if they had kept what he saw coming out of the butcher's door as a reference to The Black Spot, rather than his backstory with his parents (which don't blink or you'l miss it.) maybe stronger for the character. Should be interesting to see what they do with the adult version.
The Bowers' gang threw me a little since I'm used to the 1950's greasers, still they did a good job (like that they kept what happens between Henry and his father.) but little changes sorta threw me. As well as the fate for the other members of his gang. Still pretty awesome for the addition of Patrick Hockstetter who has a pretty disturbing part in the book. Should be interesting to see what's going to happen with the bullies or Henry in the second part. Lots of unanswered questions but I have fate I won't be disappointed.
There were tons of references for people who love the book (really liked the nods to the turtle twice in this.) I went to see this with my sister who like I said is a huge fan and every once in a while we glanced at each other and nodded knowing whenever they were referencing something. Call us nerds, but we love it. Loved the Georgie scene, it's basically what we always wanted to see that we couldn't in the mini series.
One scene that did get me was the projector scene, I actually sat back speechless since it bothered me so much as well as the leper. A little too much CGI but this giant bandaged foot was legit terrifying. I was a little let down that we never saw Eddie Corcoran's death which is seriously one of my favorite parts of the novel as well as Stan in the sandpipe even though it's shown and referenced several times. I did love that Neiblot street served a bigger role, and had some of the most intense moments. Of course in 2+ hours you can only cram so much in and as much as I wanted to see the famous werewolf scene, I liked what the director did blending in certain things. Also that fridge scene opening...holy fuck. You have to have a sharp eye to see some of the nods, mostly at the end but I can tell the director had loved the book and really wanted to pay tribute to it with this movie.
The ending was pretty intense and good, loved seeing the losers all freak out and actually fight together as a team. Really loved this take on the whole "You'll float too." I sat watching it and went "Oh wow..." pretty cool. Things were changed, but in the very end none of it truly bothered me. If they honestly stuck to the book they either wouldn't get a ratting or the movie would be split into 8 parts. They worked with that they had, updated tons of stuff, and really truly did a wonderful job. Still Pennywise's bow out without posting any spoilers sorta made me go "That's it?" It's EPIC in the book and pretty amazing in the mini-series. This seemed to fall a little flat. They could have at least done the webbing falling and feeling like acid that causes them like in the book to leave. I love how in the book it's Bill, Bev, Mike, and Stan that are all uncertain they didn't truly kill it. That would have been amazing to see in this. Still, my heart broke when a certain object is found and all the losers hug each other. Touching truly.
The ending scene gave me chills as they swear, making the promise. I noticed a few things I won't spoil but if you know what happens in the second half it will break your heart.
So in closing I found this a great updated film version. It was scary, well written, and had strong performances. The new Pennywise did his own thing and it really worked out well. This was honestly a huge treat for a King fan like me, and I truly knowing what's going to happen can't WAIT for the second part. I've all ready taken my stab at who should play the adults. Anyone else agree?
For flaws just the fact they couldn't fit it all in, and the small changes they made that threw me a bit. Still nothing that terrible. In the end the time change worked, and besides a little too much CGI (I get it, we're supposed to see how much he transforms and shifts.) it just made me raise an eyebrow from time to time. This movie was pretty amazing. I honestly can't wait to see it again and countdown until part 2!
4 stars!
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