Stephen King’s 2017 “IT” was more than successful in achieving what it set out to do. Not only did it do a great service to the original movie, but it also served as a great way to bring the movie into the present day and tell a good story while scaring the audience at the same time.
The original from 1960 differs from today’s version in the sense that it only showcases the characters facing off against Pennywise when they were children. This is a logical change, as the 2017 version of “IT” has close to an hour less of screen time. The current movie spends this time further developing the story of the children, allowing the viewer to see further into the minds of these misfit children in their struggle against Pennywise and their own personal fears. The strong sense of atmosphere is not ruined by constant in-your-face style jump-scares. Combined with the top-quality sound design and well-done special effects, it does not take long to become immersed in the world of Stephen King’s “IT.”
The movie features a believable and memorable cast of characters, including Bill Skarsgård, who did a phenomenal job bringing the role of Pennywise to life, and the film maintains a serious tone while still having some comedic moments that, while they would seem out of place in almost any other horror movie, fit perfectly into this movie
“IT” is definitely a good movie to see if one is a fan of Stephen King or wants a good horror movie to keep things interesting, especially if clowns are a weakness. The movie has a knack for bringing fears into the light, though it does show that fears can be overcome.
by James Walley
