Film: IT (2017)
Director: Andy Muschietti
Year: 2017
Stars: Bill Skarsgård, Finn Wolfhard, Jaeden Lieberher
Fox Rating: 4.5/5
'A clever remake that doesn't lose the quirks of the original or the nostalgic vibe'
In preparation for this film, I set about watching the original. A couple of decades have past since I watched the 1990 original, so I needed to recap on the story line.I forgot it was over three hours long, but with matchsticks holding up my heavy eyelids and popcorn stuck to my forehead, I soldiered on and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Now for what we are really here for. The review of the 2017 Remake.
The story line in usual Stephen King style and is a horror that, unnervingly, one may relate too; I.e the scary clown, the missing child... and the 80's vibe. However it is incredibly original in its plot that features Pennywise as the horrific Clown, who comes back every 27 years to feed from the fear of humans.
The cast has a handful of extremely talented kids who play the main characters in this horror. The young teens group together through bullying, and form a strong alliance, one that has a mission to find what happened to Georgie, (Group member Bill's, younger brother)
Pennywise is a child killing monster that terrifies children and feeds from their fear, terrorising the group one by one. Once they connect all the dots to Pennywise, they go on a mission to kill the horrific clown.
The effects of the film were very well presented with splashes of nostalgia from walkmans to BMX bikes. The use of modern scenes from the older version of the film I felt was very clever, and little gimmicks like the floating red balloon, gave me the little horror chills that you get from a gripping thriller.
The casting was also great. If you are a fan of stranger things, you will be happy to know that Finn Wolfhard plays cheeky Richie Tozier. The film has a very similar feel to what stranger things presents in it's nostalgic series.
I was disappointed at first when I realised that the adults wouldn't feature in this film, however I am more than delighted to know that there will be an IT two!
There is only one fairly big point I have to mention and that is that they did a wonderful job of replacing Tim Curry (The previous Pennywise) with swedish actor, Bill Skarsgård. As a big Tim Curry fan, that was an impressive move. Pennywise was quirky, quick and utterly terrifying.
This film really did not disappoint, and I am already looking forward to seeing Pennywise once again in action.