Long, long ago, the film fanatics and horror movie lovers heard rumours about a remake of one of Stephen King’s hit horror novels, It. One month later, the film has made $558 million USD worldwide with many reliving the horror of Pennywise the Clown. So what did I do the other weekend? I went and saw It.
It is about a kid named Bill (Jaeden Lieberher) who loses his brother after he went missing when playing outside in the rain. What Bill didn’t know was that his brother was killed by Pennywise the Clown (Bill Skarsgård). When more and more kids start to go missing, the Loser Club is on the case.
Now, I have never seen the original and I know I seem like a ‘fake fan’ in a way for not seeing before the remake, but it’s not like needing to read the book before the movie—which I also didn’t do because that book is over 1000 pages, however, I did buy it! Prior to seeing the film, we were discussing at school when someone said, “you can take the movie in two very different ways: either a comedy or as a genuine horror film”.
I was quite excited to see it as it had been getting nothing but good reviews from every film critic I subscribe to on YouTube. When we came out of the movie theatre, I was scared just a bit, however, my roommate was laughing, which goes to show that it can be seen both ways.
It can be a comedy because of just a few characters, Richie (Finn Wolfhard, Stranger Things) and Eddie (Jack Dylan Grazer, Scales: Mermaids Are Real). The way the dialogue just rolls off their tongues like it is natural to them and not scripted is fantastic. The chemistry between all of the characters, not including Pennywise, is amazing and they were honestly #squadgoals.
It can then be viewed as a horror movie because of the fears that each of the Loser Group has. Bill is losing his little brother, Richie with clowns, and Beverly (Sophia Lillis) with her abusive father. Each character gets its own time with their fears individually and each of them is placed in the movie at appropriate times, such as when the gang talks with Beverly followed by her returning home to her father and goes into that fear simulation in a way.
Also, Pennywise. The clown is beyond freaky in its own way and unlike anything else. Pennywise the Clown (Skarsgård, Atomic Blonde) was just brilliant. Skarsgård did a fabulous job on playing him and the way he portrayed him, especially his smile. In any lighting, setting, or just about anything makes him so scary. If you just see the trailer or clips of him talking, I don’t know about you, but I get chills.
The movie itself had some plot holes, which a few have noticed, such as the lady who was looking at Ben creepily in the library. The movie has already committed to a sequel, or ‘Chapter 2’, where it takes place 27 years after the events of this film.
I honestly would give this a 10/10, but that is the horror fan in me freaking out. It was very enjoyable and it’ll be interesting to see if you go with others and you end up with differing reactions!
Did you enjoy the film? Tell us in the comments below!
