Photo: CinemaBlend
Welp, the IT Movie is finally here. Does it live up to the hype? Is it as scary and unsettling as everyone says? In this edition of Chill Reviews, I will go over the good and the bad. Let me tell you, this movie made it easy. This is a Chill Review of:
Let’s just put aside the fake fear of clowns for a bit and enjoy a remake of a movie that forever put the name Pennywise to the terrifying face of a clown. I have to admit, the original TV Movie ‘IT’ came out before I was able to conceive my own presence, so needless to say, I waited a few years to see it. The movie IT, based on the novel of the same name by possessed author Stephen King, is about a group of outcast pre-teens affectionately called, The Losers. Living in the apparently unsuspicious town of Derry, Maine, The Losers all encounter an entity called Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Long story short, Pennywise is Fear personified and has the ability to take the form of his victim’s greatest fear and use it against them in order to feed on them. He apparently emerges every 27 years to feast for a couple years and at the time this movie takes place, he is smack in the middle of his meal.
It is a common thing for people in Derry to suddenly go missing, children especially. Why has no one looked into this phenomenon? Who cares and enjoy the movie. The movie starts off with the iconic scene where Bill, the main character’s, little brother Georgie takes advantage of a storm passing through his town to float a paper boat down the road. Bill is unable to join Georgie due to a cold and stays back at home while Georgie runs down the street alone in the raging storm because the high rate of missing people doesn’t phase parents in this town. As we all know, Georgie’s boat goes down the drain only to be found by our friend, Pennywise. Georgie, who is apparently fearless and doesn’t question a terrifying clown talking to him while standing in the storm drain, meets his fate as Pennywise eats his arm whole and drags him down the sewer.
Fast forward to the following year. Bill, who is made clear to have a stuttering problem, is continuing on with his post-Georgie life, trying to figure out what happened to him. He is holding onto hope that he is still out there somewhere. We meet his group of ‘Loser’ friends, which includes Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things fame. He is pretty much the comic relief of the film to balance the scares and laughs. The Losers are a lovable bunch of friends who are nerdy, awkward and are basic pre-teen boys. The film hits the ground running by taking us through each of the boys’ fears being presented by Pennywise, who is looking for his next victim. Each boy is utterly freaked out by what he sees, yet they stay quiet in fear of being seen as crazy. One of the more unsettling fears to me was Stan’s, who’s is a creepy painting of a woman that his rabbi father keeps in his office. While studying his Torah Readings in the office, the painting comes to life and attacks him in a very terrifying way. I mean, the hideousness of that lady standing behind him will give you nightmares alone.
We also meet Beverly. She is the outcast girl at school who is deemed the neighborhood slut. She comes from a troubled home where we learn that she is being abused, possibly molested by her father on a
regular basis. She befriends the boys and together they eventually confess their visions of the menacing clown that is following them. After a little research, they learn that there is a pattern around the town’s disappearances. They come to the conclusion that an old, eerily suspicious house is the center of it all. There is where they will confront Pennywise and put an end to his terror. Little do they know he knows
they are coming and madness ensues in a crazy haunted house fashion that will send chills down your spine.
After their final showdown with the evil clown, the children know it is not over and make a pact to return together should Pennywise come back.
Let me break down the movie:
Bill Skarsgard is amazing as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. He brings his own iteration to the familiar name. He looks creepy, talks creepy, and is always one step ahead. He is at his scariest when we see Pennywise drop his act and show his monstrous self.
The Losers are a great cast of young actors who really make you believe they are real with their performances. They are funny, relatable and endearing. You grow to admire their bravery and loyalty to each other.
The movie itself is long, but at the same time it seems a bit rushed at parts. Not every kid gets his fear fleshed out as well as the others do. You begin to wonder if any of the adults in Derry are aware of the forces at work. Usually, scary movies tend to have a little bit of corniness to them and IT is no different. They did update some of the corny aspects of the trailers though and the overall movie makes these setbacks minimal.
Final Thoughts
RATING: 5/5 Slices
I loved this movie. It ended up being the most enjoyable movie I’ve seen all year. It’s funny, endearing and downright creepy. If Pennywise doesn’t creep you out, the fears that he embodies will. This is a must see for any horror movie buff or anyone who just wants to have a good time and scream and laugh with the rest of the audience. I highly recommend. You won’t be disappointed.
