IT

“Stephen King’s horror masterpiece comes to life for a new generation. In Derry, Maine, seven young friends unite against a terrifying supernatural creature that has been haunting their small town for centuries. Calling itself Pennywise the Dancing Clown, IT is a monster of unspeakable power that takes the form of everyone’s most horrific fears. Threatened by their worst nightmares, the only way these kids can survive IT is together.”

IT had a lot to live up to for me. Although I have not had a chance to read the book, growing up with the original miniseries ensures there is an element of nostalgia that sometimes hinders the enjoyment of a new version of something you feel protective over.

One thing about this version of IT that works in its favor is the fact it will be broken up into two films, instead of one long miniseries that features the characters as both children and adults. This allows plenty of time to focus on character development and getting to know these characters as both children and adults. When I think back to the original IT, I don’t think only of the fear factor involved, I think of the bond between The Losers Club and how they all came together through this shared and terrifying experience that follows them the rest of their lives. Without that bond, the story wouldn’t have been as effective. That bond preserved in this version of the film thanks in part to the chemistry of all the kids and their impressive acting abilities.

It’s hard not to try and compare scenes and characters from the original miniseries, but there are elements to the original that I did like better. Although I may be in the minority, I did not like Finn Wolfhard’s portrayal of Richie Tozier at all. Whether it was the jokes that were written, or his delivery of them, they just didn’t work for me. Even though neither the miniseries nor the film has the strong magical elements as the book does, the former seems to employ them a bit more. The importance of Silver is neglected, as is the air of magic that is present in Derry that aids the children in defeating the evil.

There is one thing that absolutely has no comparison, as Bill Skarsgård had some awfully big shoes to fill thanks to Tim Curry’s unforgettable performance that probably seemed way creepier as a child. Skarsgård has truly made this version of Pennywise his own, bringing some of his own personal quirks to the character, including his lazy eye and ability to do that weird thing with his lip and drool excessively. He is all over the place, terrifying, and easily one of the best things about the film.

IT has the perfect combination of horror and coming of age that both the book and miniseries tapped into. Brining different elements from the book not mentioned in the miniseries, it’s different enough to stand alone and not seem like a remake. It’s a lot of fun to watch and truly terrifying at times. I anxiously look forward to the next chapter!

Video

IT is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.4:1. The transfer looks incredible, with a great balance of color contrasted with many of the dark scenes taking place in the last half of the film. With no defects noticed in the transfer, it is crisp and detailed in every way.

Audio

The audio is presented in Dolby Atmos, easily one of the better tracks if you have the capability to take full advantage of it. With a combination of well-balanced surrounds and center channel, everything, the screams, the creepy effects, are all extremely well done. There are some amazing sequences where I genuinely questioned if this was happening in my Living Room it seemed so real.

Special Features

There are some good extras on this set, including an interview with Stephen King that was very informative, as well as plenty of conversations with the kids. Highly recommended checking them all out. On this set you’re going to see:

• Pennywise Lives! – Discover how Bill Skarsgård prepared to portray the primordial creature known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
• The Losers’ Club – Get up close and personal with the teenage starts of IT as they bond together during the film’s production.
• Author of Fear – Stephen King reveals the roots of his best-selling novel, the nature of childhood fear, and how he created his most famous monster, Pennywise.
• Deleted Scenes – Eleven deleted or extended scenes of the film.

IT ensures the viewer will embark on an unforgettable ride from start to finish, with the promise of more to come in the second chapter.