'IT' - REVIEW
Release Date: 8th September (UK Release)
Directed By: Andy Muschietti
Written By: Cary Fukunaga, Chase Palmer, Gary Dauberman and Stephen King
Produced By: Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Seth Grahame Smith, Barbara Muschietti and
David Katzenburg
Starring: Jaeden Lieberher, Bil Skarsgård, Wyatt Oleff, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs and Jack Dylan Grazer
Distributed By: Warner Brothers Pictures
There are numerous incarnations of iconic Stephen King characters who have terrified the general public both on paper and screen. One of the ancient masters of literary horror has captivated and chilled readers to their core for over forty years since his first novel ‘Carrie’ in 1973. Ghosts, monsters, the human spirit, these were just some of the antagonists King utilised, with non more iconic or ultimately more spine chilling than Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The demonic eater of worlds and children. This was ultimately the star of ‘IT’, Kings 1986 epic. Whilst the visual stimuli was apparent, this tale was about much more than a killer clown. With the first cinematic incarnation reaching only the heights of a TV Miniseries, The length and scale of KIng’s creation was ripe for a silver screen reboot and so from the director who brought 2013’s ‘Mama’, Andy Muschietti, comes a far more visceral and darker ‘IT’.
With only one somewhat mediocre horror film under his belt, Muschietti was a welcome if daunting choice for such a well known project. Any doubts can be mercifully put aside as almost all the creative choices throughout this film, work to it’s benefit. One of the smartest choices being the tone which fully embraces King’s gloomy and dark settings and themes, whilst also knowing when to add a little levity, primarily seen during the scene lighthearted innocence between members of The Losers Club. This is perhaps where Muschietti shines as a director, choosing to focus on the friendship of the kids and have the story play out almost entirely from their perspective, providing a welcome warmth to a predominantly chilly tale. Whilst all on top form, the standout performances of the youngsters takes the form of Finn Wolfhard’s Richie Tozier and Sophia Lillis’ Beverly Marsh. With Wolfhard’s previous work in ‘Stranger Things’ proving him to be one of the more notable child actors working today, his take on the fast talking joker of the pack serves as one the highlights of the entire film. The representation of Beverly on the other hand, makes a star in the making for Lillis who brings unexpected emotion to a role which deals with deeply unsettling themes with unflinching realness, a trait sometimes lost in King’s adaptations.
Whilst there are benefits to creative freedom regarding adaptations, other choices certainly mar this strong contender for one of the best. Whilst all members of The Losers Club shine in their performances, there are issues regarding their depth and development, with some certainly missing out on backstory, making the culmination of the third act a little less satisfying given these characters don't have our full investment.
Produced By: Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Seth Grahame Smith, Barbara Muschietti and
David Katzenburg
Starring: Jaeden Lieberher, Bil Skarsgård, Wyatt Oleff, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs and Jack Dylan Grazer
Distributed By: Warner Brothers Pictures
There are numerous incarnations of iconic Stephen King characters who have terrified the general public both on paper and screen. One of the ancient masters of literary horror has captivated and chilled readers to their core for over forty years since his first novel ‘Carrie’ in 1973. Ghosts, monsters, the human spirit, these were just some of the antagonists King utilised, with non more iconic or ultimately more spine chilling than Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The demonic eater of worlds and children. This was ultimately the star of ‘IT’, Kings 1986 epic. Whilst the visual stimuli was apparent, this tale was about much more than a killer clown. With the first cinematic incarnation reaching only the heights of a TV Miniseries, The length and scale of KIng’s creation was ripe for a silver screen reboot and so from the director who brought 2013’s ‘Mama’, Andy Muschietti, comes a far more visceral and darker ‘IT’.
The year is 1989 and the Maine town of Derry is suffering from a bout of strange disappearances, namely children. Bill Denborough (Lieberher) and his gang of friends affectionately known as ‘The Losers Club’ must band together and end the terror that’s been brought upon their home town once and for all.
With only one somewhat mediocre horror film under his belt, Muschietti was a welcome if daunting choice for such a well known project. Any doubts can be mercifully put aside as almost all the creative choices throughout this film, work to it’s benefit. One of the smartest choices being the tone which fully embraces King’s gloomy and dark settings and themes, whilst also knowing when to add a little levity, primarily seen during the scene lighthearted innocence between members of The Losers Club. This is perhaps where Muschietti shines as a director, choosing to focus on the friendship of the kids and have the story play out almost entirely from their perspective, providing a welcome warmth to a predominantly chilly tale. Whilst all on top form, the standout performances of the youngsters takes the form of Finn Wolfhard’s Richie Tozier and Sophia Lillis’ Beverly Marsh. With Wolfhard’s previous work in ‘Stranger Things’ proving him to be one of the more notable child actors working today, his take on the fast talking joker of the pack serves as one the highlights of the entire film. The representation of Beverly on the other hand, makes a star in the making for Lillis who brings unexpected emotion to a role which deals with deeply unsettling themes with unflinching realness, a trait sometimes lost in King’s adaptations. 
At the heart of the tale and the real question on everyone’s lips was naturally, “Will Pennywise be better than Tim Curry?”. From the very first appearance, Skarsgård’s iteration leaves a potently deliciously evil imprint on the mind as the demonic creature. With a gleefully shrill yet brooding voice, drool soaked chin, and a smile which could chill the bones of Freddy Krueger himself, Skarsgård unquestionably makes the character his own, steering him in a much darker and at times even funnier direction than the camper, light hearted Tim Curry version. Whilst not portraying many prolific roles in his career, Skarsgård has created a new icon in horror as he giggles, leaps, contorts and bites his way through the 135 minute tale, his appearance’s wisely not overused, whilst leaving the atmosphere of his presence to amplify the fear factor. With the omittance of CG rarely an option in today’s industry, the use of it here is sparse and sensibly used mainly to enhance the more supernatural elements of Pennywise, leaving Skarsgård’s physicality to be fully embraced.
With every adaptation, there are naturally strays from the source material, here the story is no different, with Muschietti making the somewhat controversial choice to change the initial time period of the Loser’s Club’s youth from the 1950’s to the late 1980’s. This being a choice again to it’s merit, bringing forth visual stimuli reminiscent of Spielberg’s ‘The Goonies’ and the heavy nostalgia of classic 80’s movies. Whether this was a choice motivated by the recent success of Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ may well be the case, this choice serves to add more than just an idyllic setting, and utilises the 30 year leap forward to great effect. The choice to also remove particular scenes iconic in the book but in many ways simply untranslatable to the silver screen, shows a confidence in Muschietti’s creative drive, with the more horrific elements working in line with that 80’s charm to move from goosebumps to slasher in a matter of minutes.
Whilst there are benefits to creative freedom regarding adaptations, other choices certainly mar this strong contender for one of the best. Whilst all members of The Losers Club shine in their performances, there are issues regarding their depth and development, with some certainly missing out on backstory, making the culmination of the third act a little less satisfying given these characters don't have our full investment.
That said, Muschietti has undoubtedly created one of the finest King adaptations in recent years and by choosing his focal point aimed more at the kids than simply the horror elements, give a layer of depth and richness which will serve well when the undoubtable sequel arrives. Along with superior casting choices all round, he has also given relative newcomers to the game a platform to which they’ve all stepped up to, Skarsgård in particular. This is very much a film with emotion, charm, terror and most importantly heart, sure to stand the test of time.
“You’ll float down here. We all float down here. Yes we do!” - Pennywise
