IT - movie review

IT

Plot: A group of bullied kids band together when a shapeshifting demon, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.
Cast: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard
Director: Andy Muschietti
Certificate: 15 (strong horror, violence, language)
Runtime: 2hrs 15 mins
Release Date: Friday 8th September 2017

When I say that this was one of the most difficult cinematic experiences I've sat through in a long time, I urge you not to take that statement in a negative sense. IT is, and I say this confidently and wholeheartedly, a tremendous film that will go down in history as one of the best Stephen King adaptations and potentially a future horror classic. The reason as to why I found it such an arduous experience was due to one reason and one reason alone; I am afraid of clowns. Yes, my inner idiot thought it would be fantastic idea to go and see IT, a horror film centering on an evil demonic clown that chases and kills children. That being said, for me to leave my screening of IT simultaneously petrified and entertained, that serves as a testament to how brilliant the 2017 imagining of IT is.

How I exit the shower.

We might as well get the torture over and done with first so let's discuss the main centrepiece of IT and what will undeniably been the main costume to feature this Halloween; Pennywise. This clown must be one of the most terrifying cinematic creations I've seen in my entire life. Every single aspect of scary clowns that I cannot stand has been crammed into this one demonic presence and it chilled me to my very core. The idea behind Pennywise is terrifying enough as it is. Simply the thought of a killer clown lurking in the sewers, dragging kids to his lair and eating them is enough to have me running for the hills but because director Muschietti (whose only previous work includes the highly underrated Mama) has gone to town on the scares and making sure he doesn't hold back with his depiction on Pennywise, the end result is worse than my nightmares could even conjure up. I don't say this lightly because, while I may be easy to jump, I very rarely get scared. So this is high praise when I admit to struggling to watch some of the Pennywise onscreen action because I felt like I was going to freak out any second. If you do have a fear of clowns, just beware that seeing IT won't help you conquer it.. To give this depiction some context, after Stephen King was screened the film privately, he admitted to being scared stiff upon witnessing Bill Skarsgård's portrayal of Pennywise, and he's not wrong to be. Bill has jumped up in the rankings as possibly the best actor in the extensive Skarsgård family. What he achieves as Pennywise is nothing short of masterful and emerges into the world as one of the top character actors working in Hollywood. Skarsgård disappears into his role as Pennywise and becomes a true chameleon. 

Worst. Balloon vendor. Ever.

Tim Curry was a terrific Pennywise but having watched the 90's miniseries just before this new incarnation, his performance is the only thing that stands out in an otherwise dated flick. In comparison, Skarsgård edges Curry out in a role that isn't afraid to be avant garde, extreme or arguably cartoonish. In the wrong hands of a director and actor, this could have ended in disaster. Skarsgård's commitment to the role is amazing. His voice that he adopts as Pennywise is the perfect mixture of absurdity and nightmarish. Even his facial expressions don't seem capable of a human being to muster up. Without a doubt, I'd think it's a fair comment to say that Skarsgård could make an unexpected appearance come the awards season. However, it's not just Skarsgård who is responsible for the terror behind Pennywise. Firstly, the costume and makeup teams have really outdone themselves by creating a terrorising clown that seems somehow stooped in reality. His costume is reminiscent of a Victorian jester design whilst his makeup is clearly inspired by a mime clown. Then there's the side of Pennywise that the promotional material haven't shown. A clever decision I might add. In sequences that involve a projector, the infamous Georgie encounter (which is more harrowing than you can even imagine) and the petrifying conclusion, a unique blend of practical and visual effects have been applied to Pennywise and the result is astonishing. If I were to find an issue regarding the film as a whole, it is probably to do with Pennywise's origin and the purpose of his existence. The film attempts to give some explanation but as soon as there is the slightest hint towards who or what Pennywise is, the action is swiftly moved elsewhere as if to create a prolonged mystery. Unfortunately, because we are never made privy to the answers (as of yet) this mystery doesn't hold up as well as it should for the 135 minute runtime.

SOME POO'S COME OUT!

FACT: Bill Skarsgård had admitted that he was so into his performance as Pennywise that he would have constant nightmares during production.

An aspect to IT that I didn't expect where the dynamics between the members of the Losers Club. Much of the audience will be inclined to see the film due to the hype around Pennywise however, many of them will colour themselves surprised as they soon realise that Pennywise doesn't exactly have the lead role. At an estimated guess, I'd say that he roughly has around twenty minutes of screentime. Instead, IT is more of a story focused on the Losers Club made up of seven youngsters who capture the attention of Pennywise whilst otherwise dealing with issues that kids in the 80's might have to face ranging from bullies, non-understanding parents, puberty and a city-wide pandemic of children going missing as they fall foul to the hands of a demonic clown. So, the norm basically. Despite having an electrifying performance from Skarsgård, the true magic of IT emanates from the performances of each and every kid. Aside from Jacob Tremblay who doesn't feature, the casting director for this film has seemingly found the most talented child actors working presently. Leading the pack is Jaeden Lieberher, who after this and The Book Of Henry (even though the film wasn't of the same calibre) has continuously gone from strength to strength with all of his roles. Lieberher as Bill is very charismatic and perfectly depicts the stuttering youngster. Alongside him as an almost second in command archetype is Finn Wolfhard. 

That's how to spend Saturday mornings. Sod morning TV. Let's look round a sewer.

Coming off of the success in Stranger Things, it should come as no surprise that Wolfhard has the depiction of an 80's child living through supernatural goings on down to a fine art. It was a genius decision casting him as Richie, a no nonsense and foul mouthed teenager that spouts comedic gold time and time again. Other members of the Losers Club include Jeremy Ray Taylor as the lovable, hopeless romantic Ben, Chosen Jacobs as Mike and Wyatt Oleff as the religiously confused Stanley. These three work well together and easily have a bright future ahead of them. The two standouts of the Losers Club have to be Jack Dylan Grazer, whom I can't help but empathize with for multiple reasons, and Sophia Lillis as Beverly, who gives the most emotional performance in the whole film. Lillis is one to watch after this film. She has the potential to be an icon in years to come. But now comes the big question; aside from my inevitable fear of Pennywise, is the rest of IT scary? Yes. Yes it is. With over a two hour runtime, I'm always fearful that a horror film can't maintain the sense of dread and intensity throughout. Andy Muschietti isn't afraid to keep pulling some twists and turns so the audience are on their toes for the entire time. Not once was I ever bored because my eyes were glued to the screen in frightening anticipation as to when either Pennywise would appear or the next fearful creation that haunts the various members of the Losers Club rears its ugly head. Muschietti also never fails to make Pennywise's appearances lose their shock value and constantly comes up with creative ideas as to how he can implement the clown into new and fearsome situations. Atmospheric is the perfect word to describe IT. From the score to the cinematography, Muschietti has left no stone unturned in order for him to create a horror movie the likes of which we haven't seen in a long time.

Nope. Non. Nein. Nullum. Não. ¡No!

IT is all that the trailers have cracked it up to be. For what feels like a homage to the horror movies of the past, IT also has a fantastic sense of creativity to it. I was coiled up in terror for each and every minute and equally as enthralled by the magnificent portrayal of the Losers Club who feel so real and authentic. Yes, I may be terrified of clowns and yes, I would have found IT scary even if it just consisted of a picture of Pennywise remaining on screen for two hours and YES, it scared me so much that I did fart but fears aside, IT is an extremely well made film that goes to show the deniers that original and terrifying horror films are out there and that jumpscares could be a thing of the past. Now, until the sequel, can we be done with clowns? I've suffered my fair share now.

My Verdict: 9.5/10

What did you think of IT? What are you afraid of? Sound off in the comments below.

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