It the movie was one of the best horror movies of 2017. One of the obvious reasons was because it was based off of one of the best novels of this generation. The movie was not word for word like the book, in fact it took many liberties in its adaptation. I will try not to add many spoilers to this review because I strongly recommend this movie to anyone who even slightly enjoys horror movies. (And in my opinion, it is not that scary, and the light hearted moments really make you forget that you are meant to be terrified.)
For example, the movie pushed up the year that the story takes place. In the novel, the Loser’s Gang first comes together in the 1950’s. I can assume this change occurred to allow the audience to better understand and connect with the characters. Also, it might be trying to ride the wave that has come with nostalgic 80’s media. (Like Stranger Things.)
They also added years to the cast, the children are meant to be about ten or eleven years old, while in the movie they are thirteen to fourteen. I can understand a change like this because it is hard to find child actors at those ages that would have the talent to keep today’s audiences engaged. Also, for the movie to be profitable it would have to be scary, and having young children on set could traumatize them. (For example, in The Shining, the six-year-old actor did not even know that he was filming a horror movie and when they filmed the more terrifying scenes he was not on set.)
They also changed the ways that It presents itself to the Loser’s Gang. There is not a mummy, or the teenage werewolf, or the large black bird. Instead he mostly remains as Pennywise the clown. Again, a change like this would make sense because it is the most recognizable of the forms that It takes.
I thought the young actors and actresses were superb in their roles, and they all had wonderful comedic timing. Even with their young age, one can clearly see that they may have stardom in their future.
One of my favorite scene from the movie has to be the famous scene where the blood shoots out of Beverly’s sink. It was not only shocking, but incredibly symbolic. You can read my review on It: Part One to read the full analysis of that scene.
Usually I like movies that follow the book closely and accurately. However, in this case, the choices and change that were made were necessary in today’s climate of movie goers. I thought it was an awesome movie and I will recommend it to anyone and I cannot wait for It: Chapter Two that comes out in 2019.
