DAY SIX - IT #31daysofhorror
DAY SIX OF 31 DAYS OF HORROR
IT - 2017
"Derry is not like any town I've been in before. People die or disappear, six times the national average. And that's just grown ups. Kids are worse. Way, way worse."
THIS MOVIE IS INCREDIBLE AND MIGHT BE MY SECOND FAVORITE MOVIE OF THE YEAR (the first will be The Last Jedi, I already know it) AND LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.....ITTTTT!!!!
So this is my second viewing. I was lucky enough to watch an early screening of this incredible movie but my friend hadn't seen it yet so I joined her for my second viewing. I was curious to see what it would be like the second time and was excited to actually pay more attention and not just be completed overwhelmed by the amazing-ness of it all.
IT is the second adaptation of the Stephen King novel by the same name. The book is over 1000 pages and so this is only part one in which we focus purely on the kids story, this time set in the 80's. The second film will be released September 6th, 2019. The first film broke every box office record EVER for a horror film and there's plenty of good reasons why. Directed by Andy Muschietti, IT tells the tale of a group of children that call themselves the Losers' Club who spend their summer trying to solve the mystery of where all the local kids are disappearing too. What they encounter is something far more terrifying, old and evil than they could've ever imagined.
I want to talk about the cast first because never has there been such perfect casting from a book. And every single person in this movie does their job so incredibly well. I was worried about the kids because...well...quite frankly, I hate children. And if one of them was irritating, the movie would've been ruined for me. But every single one of these kids were incredible. Ben (Jeremy Ray Taylor) is so sweet and his crush on Beverly was so perfectly shown. He makes my heart ache when he's being bullied and his love of New Kids on the Block had me cackling. Beverly (Sophia Lillis) was my favorite. Beverly is such an incredibly strong and deep character and Lillis pulled it off beautifully. She completely stole every scene she was in. Jaeden Lieberher played Bill, our lead, and was astounding. Ben is such a complex character, carrying a lot of guilt and dealing with a serious stutter and it was done perfectly. Richie, my favorite character from the book, is played by Finn Wolfhard and is so funny I was crying. Even the second time around when I knew the jokes were coming, I was laughing so hard. He's so quick and naturally comedic.
Bill Skarsgård plays our new Pennywise. I will admit, when I saw the first photo, I was doubtful. But after seeing the first trailer I was completely sold. This performance will go down in history as one of the most terrifying. Pennywise is so much more real and terrifying than the original adaptation. When he speaks and drools and spazzes around it just reads as pure insanity. Moments that could be cheesey are completely controlled by Skarsgård who fully took on this role.
This movie is terrifying. And during the early screening I was doing totally fine (I was appreciating the scares but not jumping because I'm hardened and dead inside) until a real life balloon in the theater popped and at that point I think my heart stopped. And that night I could feel a sort of sense of dread that was still laying on me. There's some incredible scenes that I've been thinking about ever since I first saw it, and looked forward to seeing again. Pennywise's various forms are equally as terrifying, including a new addition of a creepy painting of a lady holding a flute.
IT is like a love letter to Stephen King. Every scene is there for a reason, the pacing is perfect, nothing feels left out or shoved in. What I also loved is that there's enough little Easter eggs from the book put in there that readers will be pleased, but those who haven't read the book just won't notice them and won't be bothered. Every moment seems to be handled with love and considering it is set in 80's, the soundtrack is on point. Every song is a great choice.
I like that they have split it up this way too and I don't know how I'm going to wait another year to see the adult sequel. AND THE CASTING FOR THE ADULTS AHHHHHH! WHO IS GONNA BE?!?!
Basically, this movie is perfect. Seriously. It's terrifying, it's beautiful, it's heart warming, the casting is perfect, the soundtrack is perfect, the score is haunting. It's....honestly I wish I could be more eloquent when talking about this movie but I can't.
IT is a standout film and will go down in history, not only for its' record breaking box office, but for a smart, scary, and respectful horror film that gives horror fans a movie they deserve.
SOLID 100000/10 (yes that's an option. Shutup. This is my site I can do what I want and you're not my real Dad and never will be)
