The 189th review!

So today I played Friday the 13th for the first time in a while, and man do I love that game. Escaped from Jason quite a bit and even found a Pamela tape! Then, to make up for not moving for awhile I went for a run with the babies while shirtless, you’re welcome Dundee. So when Becca got off work we met at the theater to watch the movie...
It (2017)
So I’m going to try and judge this movie on its own merits and not compare it to the miniseries. But let me get a few things out of the way from the jump, the miniseries and book have a very special place in my heart. The book is the only novel that’s actually scared me as I was reading it. And although the 1990 version doesn’t hold up today it was really scary at the time. Well, the kid version of the series, adults was kinda lame. When I was younger seeing Georgie get killed really stuck with me. That didn’t happen in horror movies. Hell, in Friday the 13th VI, Jason bursts into a cabin full of kids and leaves them alone. But in the miniseries, a young kid gets murdered before you can even take your shoes off.

The other thing to mention is Pennywise. In my humble opinion, there was no topping Tim Curry’s performance in the miniseries. He was the perfect mix of terrifying and playful for the character. In this version, outside of a bit in the first scene, he’s not playful at all, he’s just a jump-scaring asshole. Next we get to the appearance. “It” chooses the form of Pennywise because he likes being the clown. Part of that reason is kids are attracted to them, and Tim Curry looked like an approachable clown, this version, there is no way anyone ever approaches him, which I think lessens the character.
With that out of the way, let’s get to the movie. Most people know the plot, an old evil terrorizes the town of Derry and is particularly fond of eating yummy children. That is until a ragtag group of misfits that call themselves “The Losers Club” join up to fight back.

What really stands out are the child actors. Having a movie where most of the characters are children, you can’t expect much from the acting, but all of them are very believable and very good. And thankfully the movie keeps it consistent as Richie has always been my favorite character, and I’m glad they dialed back on the “Beep beep, Ritchie” that was EVERYWHERE in the book. I also really enjoyed the non-scary parts where the kids were being kids. Even taking out the horror aspects, this would have been a really good coming-of-age story.
As for the scares, there was a mix of pop out scares and some genuinely frightening moments. I much prefer a slow build to the scares that continue being scary beyond the usual... tension, tension, tension BOOM! I think my favorite scene is the first time the heavyset kid meets Pennywise. From him flipping through the book, the egg, the headless figure chasing him and finally seeing the clown, that was some scary shit.
As an aside, who the hell brings a baby to see this movie in the theaters?! And expanding on that question, why are several people bringing their babies to see It in theaters?!?! Come on, have some respect for the entire theater of people with you. Also, if your child is crying, you shh’ing them isn’t working! Finally, you’re in a dark theater, having your phone on full brightness is annoying as all hell. (Worked at a movie theater for 7 years).

So in short, I liked it. It was better, better acted and better looking than the miniseries but man do I miss Tim Curry.
8 Dr. Chainsaws!
Becca’s rating, “1 very scared doggie. I need to cuddle Bobo.”
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