Director: Andy Muschetti
By Alex Watson
Stephen King has a tendency to disown adaptations of his novels, but there is little doubt that Andy Muschetti's It is one of the stronger ones. Fans are still divided over the hammy miniseries made in 1990 which despite some fine Tim Curry scenery chewing was disappointing. Fear not Pennywise fans, this 2017 version wonderfully captures the dark mystique of a town which is scared stiff. Bill Skarsgard breathes new life in scary clowns and Pennywise is free to haunt us once more.
In 1989, the town of Derry, Maine has a had a number of children reported missing. A group of seven children including stuttering Bill (Jaeden Lieberher) are haunted by a shape-shifting clown named Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard). All the children are suffering at both the hands of bullies and other curves life has thrown at them. Together they resolve to stop this psychotic menace for good.
Muschetti seems determined to give It the full big screen treatment and unlike the novel, he has moved the grown up section of the story to its own film. Having a clear focus helps this picture tremendously and heightens the scares these young children face. Beginning with the tragic kidnap of Bill's brother Georgie- Pennywise is a horrifying sight from the very first glace. His whispering voice and mangled Victorian costume would make even the bravest person squirm. Muschetti frequently keeps our nerves jangling and he brings forward the paranoia and terror that fills Derry whenever a new missing child poster goes up. Portrayed as a summer when innocence ends,
Thankfully we are given sufficient time to get to know our young heroes and the what afflicts them in daily life. Eddie (Jack Dylan Grazer) is browbeaten by his hypochondriac mother, Stan (Wyatt Oleff) is bullied for his Jewish heritage and Beverly (Sophia Lillis) is sexually abused by her father. An added problem rears its head in the shape of sociopathic bully Henry Bowers (Nicholas Hamilton) whose gang rules high school life with an iron fist. These elements are just as haunting as the clown himself and sometimes the scariest onscreen moments comes from moments closer to home. Rather than rushing through, Muschetti invites his audience to get close to these characters. However, Pennywise can sense their fear and their problems make them all the more vulnerable.
The one vice that hinders It is Muschetti's over-reliance on jump scares. The murky dread that pollutes this picture is uneasy by itself, but despite this Muschetti seems to want to keep the scares coming. When they come, these moments are very well executed. One particularly heart-stopping scare sees Pennywise burst out of a projector screen. Although this is effective in small doses before long this same trick becomes tiring. Despite a couple of slightly dated tricks, this reboot is a fine example of what a Stephen King novel can bring to the screen. A sequel is currently in the development now, the adult actors will have a lot to match up to against these young starlets.
Bill Skarsgard makes for a terrifying Pennywise and is brilliantly scene stealing throughout. Tim Curry might still win fans hearts, but Skarsgard makes full use of this character. Only used when absolutely needed, Skarsgard always finds new ways to make us twitch in our seats. Credit to the excellent young cast lead by Jaeden Lieberher and Sophia Lillis. Lieberher, in particular, is excellent as the stuttering and emotionally scarred Bill. Affected by the death of his brother, his desire to avenge it makes him the de facto leader of the group.
In a summer of underwhelming blockbusters, It easily marks itself out from the rest. Be prepared to hear Pennywise's laughter the moment you close your eyes at night.
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