IT REVIEW: Does Pennywise 2017 bring the IT factor?

Does Andrés Muschietti breathe chills
into the Stephen King classic?

Stephen Kings’ hit novel first terrorised audiences back in 1986. Shortly after the menacing clown burst onto screens, in the 1990 miniseries. There Tim Curry, as Pennywise, expertly embedded a fear of red nosed weirdoes into the minds of many. Now, just as the eerie town of Derry comes under attack every 27 years, Pennywise is back to haunt our dreams yet again.

 

This time around Andrés Muschietti is leading the circus with 2017’s big screen adaption. Riding the ghost train successes of his first horror outing, Mama, Muschietti sinks his teeth stylistically into the Stephen King classic.  IT has amazingly broken box office records and become the biggest horror opening ever.

Does IT deserve it? Well… Yes! With an outstanding cast of likeable youths, sleek art direction and brilliant dialogue. 27 years later the dancing clown is back to claw its way to box office glory.

 Muschietti does bring the IT factor by utilising an effective art house pallet, he paints the dreary picture of Derry under attack with simplistic ease. The biggest success of this story is the art direction: Simple, artistic and nightmarishly dreamy. Pennywise himself has had a modern hark-back makeover to become a medieval menace. Costume designer Janie Bryant fabulously adds to his feeling of historic hijacks with this ruffled clown couture.

IT’s not just IT’s aesthetic that steals the show for me. For once the ‘Losers Club’ are definitely winning in this terror-tale. A superb cast of professional pubescents takes the bulk of the movies emotional weight and wit. The movie ties in themes of bullying, sexual awakening and friendship with actual laughs, thanks to expert comedic courtesy of Finn Wolfhard and Jack Dylan Grazer, to single out my two favourites. Whilst IT writer Stephen may be the King of horror, he also writes fantastically relatable teen drama and coming of age awesomeness (Stand By Me remake… anyone?).

Now, no one likes a sad clown, or a murderous one for that matter. But, with a movie succeeding so heavily with its young stars, Pennywise himself is the let down of the show. There is no denying the image of the bulbous bozo is shit-scary. Bill Skarsgårds’ Pennywise is just that, an image. Pennywise is most frightening when silent and staring. When he has the opportunity to ramble, he does and left me somewhat confused of who pennywise actually is; a conniving clown with brains or a hungry benevolent beast looking to survive. Pennywise felt sometimes like two personas after a similar goal. Skarsgård looks the part but believably selling an ancient evil entity dressed as a clown, just didn’t fully float with me.

There were times when IT was just plain silly! Although, me being a horror avoidant I found this comfortingly welcomed. But, as a cinephile I wanted full scare-fest. The eerie moments of suspense were great. The actual showdown against evil entity, not so much. When Pennywise went full monster it was just a tad silly. Even for a clown. Some of the effects were definitely 15 rating friendly and reminiscent of Beetlejuice (Spot the poster!).

The movie deals with some heavy issues. Not just the metaphor or Beverley’s tampon shopping and her sink exploding with blood, Carrie style. But some real sensitive issues that Muschietti juggles intimately with the ominous threat of a killer clown. It’s here where the real gold lies.

So was IT worth the popcorn spilling jumps and sleepless nights? Yes, Muschietti expertly rouses Derry back to life with a genuinely fantastic young cast. Pennywise has some dusting off to do but I’m sure he will make a woeful welcome to teen nightmares and slumber parties for years to come. IT is a modern homage to the fright-nights of the 80’s and I for one cant wait to float back to Derry in Chapter 2.    

Does IT have the IT factor? Check it out at cinemas now…

 I assure you, you’ll float too.