User blog:AustinDR/It (2017)

Well, finally got to see the movie. It was actually a pretty good adaptation of a Stephen King novel. However, for the first part of the movie, I didn't really care much for it. Some of the acting was hit or miss, the tone constantly whiplashed, and I ultimately didn't get that vibe of the Losers Club caring for each other. Sure, they hang out with each other, but other than that, no true bond. The second half of the film is pretty strong, especially when Bill comes to terms with his brother being dead and rising to the role of leader. Bill Skarsgard definitely kills it as Pennywise. His voice gives off the demeanor of a predator, his mannerisms are also unnerving. He walks and moves as if he's in danger of having a seizure every time he moves. The question though: is he scary? Not really. He's creepy, sure, but not something that would keep me up at night. Really, the movie wasn't scary in the slightest. I could see several moments coming, it wasn't even funny. There are some creepy moments here and there, but it's far from what the hype made it out to be.

Story wise, it follows the book to a "T." For one, we get to see Georgie's arm get ripped off, and it's glorious. And the scene where Eddie finds out his medicine were placebos was also in there. Other than that, there were some changes that I didn't really like. For one, it made Ben the historian keeping record of all the craziness that happens in Derry, while in the book and miniseries, that was Mike's job. Really, Mike and Stan were underused; they lacked development. If you removed them from the film and changed a few things, nothing would really make much difference. I also didn't like how Henry gets killed off in this film. Again, in the book and miniseries, he survives his encounter with It, so that It could then break him out of the mental institution to finish the Losers Club off, once and for all. But at the very least, thank gawd that that one infamous scene from the novel wasn't in the film. While I may love the book and Stephen King as an author, any fan of the book can testify that they weren't broken up about that one scene not making the cut.

Overall, it was an alright film. Is it the scariest film of this year? No, but it's certainly entertaining, and is faithful to the book it was based on. Here's hoping that Chapter 2 will be as great, even better.

Final score: 4 1/2 stars out of 5