IT (2017) Review

For a couple years now, I've been holding the belief that a horror movie can still be good (if not great) even if it isn't all that scary overall. Its kind of like how Edgar Wright's comedies are legitimately great films, regardless of whether or not they're actually funny, which they most certainly are. Anyway, this new cinematic version Stephen King's seminal novel (which itself was already adapted into a not terribly good TV movie, aside from Tim Curry's legendary performance as Pennywise, back in 1990) does a bang-up job of being a solid adaptation and a fantastic creepfest film in its own right. Granted, me not finding this film all that scary is partially due to the fact that I just don't find clowns particularly frightening; still, its certainly effective due to terrific atmosphere and a spectacularly menacing performance from Bill Skarsgard as the dancing clown himself.

In some ways, the live-action portrayals of this iconic creature bring to mind the most memorable live-action versions of the Joker. Sure, Tim Curry and Jack Nicholson are undeniably iconic and are humorously entertaining; nevertheless, Heath Ledger and Bill Skarsgard deliver the better performances and will most likely leave you shaking with fear by the time you exit the theater. From his beady yellow eyes to his smile to his suspicious voice, Skarsgard stands apart from the original while also blazing his own new terrifying trails.

Plus, what makes this new Pennywise work besides his unsettling mannerisms and chilling presence is how sparingly he's used. They use him enough to where you'll be satisfied; but, not too much to a point where he's no longer scary. Aside from that, the second smartest move was splitting the book's epic story into two movies. Not only does this let both portions of the story unfold in a way that doesn't feel too crowded or bare bones, it also means that we get, at least, one great film out of the deal if this first one doesn't rack up the box office numbers that Warner Bros wants it to*. In my opinion, the first half with the protagonists as children is superior because there's more dramatic meat that comes with such a young age and their vulnerability lends the story to developing both character and suspense. All of which this movie pulls off like gangbusters. Let me just take a moment to give credit to the absolutely marvelous casting in this film. Each and every one of the kids delivers star-making turns (Sophia Lillis' Beverly and Finn Wolfhard's Richie are particular standouts). Even though these individual performances are terrific, its the dynamic between all of them and the excellent character development that make sure the story has its vital strand of heart and humor underlying all the ghoulish chaos.

There's also the amazing technical aspects. Director Andy Muschietti has only worked one other film before this and he shows up like a seasoned professional here. Seriously, its shocking how well-directed IT is. The cinematography is also quite striking. Everything from the claustrophobia invoked in the sewer scenes to the dutch angles and haunting backlighting in the Neibolt House that feel ripped straight from the playbook of Sam Raimi. Benjamin Wallfisch already proved his composing chops earlier this year with the gothic histrionics he brought to A Cure for Wellness and he gives IT a fitting sound as well. The music he did here is often otherworldly and phantasmagorical in ways that bring to mind names like Jerry Goldsmith, Bernard Herrmann, and especially Danny Elfman. There's also the frequently sharp and tight screenplay courtesy of Gary Dauberman, Chase Palmer, and True Detective-alum Cary Fukunaga. The dialogue here makes the back and forth between pre-adolescent main characters credible without losing any of Stephen King's trademark wit/attention to detail.

I only have two complaints of note. For starters, the jump scares are pretty hit-and-miss. Most of them work pretty well; but, others feel like they were lifted wholesale from Blumhouse's back catalogue of weaker material which is a shame because these end up undoing of some of the tension that the film had built up to almost masterfully in a given scene. Besides that, the CGI is a bit questionable at times which makes certain moments elicit of screams of laughter instead of fear. Still, these are very minor quibbles with what is otherwise a fantastically package.

Overall, IT feels like an old-fashioned, cinematic carnival spook-house (think Evil Dead 2 or Creepshow) with enough dramatic depth and poignancy to make it feel like something more.

IT (2017) gets a... 
BADA$$ out of TEN

Also, I highly recommend seeing this with a crowd. I was fortunate enough to see IT in a packed house and I had a bloody blast.

*By the way, I have no doubt this is going to get a sequel. Not only because of its staggeringly impressive box office haul; but, also because IT is a bonafide crowd-pleaser. The word-of-mouth on this production are going to give some serious staying power and well-deserved leverage.