One of the most terrifying works by acclaimed American author Stephen King finally sees itself come to fruition thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, Vertigo Entertainment, and "Mama" director Andy Muschietti, and that is the supernatural horror classic "It" - which many fans will know as the story of a group of "Losers" who live in the fictional town of Derry, Maine and are terrorized by a shapeshifting creature that preys on children and consumes them after exploiting their worst fears. This film adaptation follows a successful two-part 1990 horror drama series which saw famed English actor Tim Curry take on the role of Pennywise The Dancing Clown, and has remained a memorable scary role of his long storied career in theater and cinema.
Thanks to Warner Bros. Philippines, I was able to enter and experience the 2017 version of "It" - which chronicles the first chapter of the story and gives it a 1980's update to make it modernized and relatable... Eventually setting it up for the events of the inevitable sequel that sees the group of friends encountering the creature again. In the photo above, I am beside both "Old" and "New" versions of Pennywise - both equally horrifying and awesome to look at. Now in theaters, here is my review of "It", and of course beware of potential SPOILERS.
Beginning just like the previous live-action adaptation, "It" introduces us to a sick Bill Denbrough in 1988 who makes a paper sailboat for his young brother Georgie amidst stormy weather in their small town neighborhood of Derry. Excited to play with his new toy, Georgie accidentally loses his sailboat in the gutter, and when he peers down to get it he is greeted by a strange man who introduces himself as "Pennywise The Dancing Clown". He offers Georgie a balloon, and after successfully getting him to put his arm in the drainage he bites it off and drags him down into the sewers.
Flashforward to half a year later, and Bill is still looking for answers on why his brother mysteriously disappeared. He and his friends Richie, Stanley, and Eddie are constantly bullied by Henry Bowers and his gang and end up being referred to as "Losers". Embracing the name and meeting new friends in young girl Beverly Marsh and the overweight Ben Hanscom, "The Losers Club" end up sticking together and fighting for each other in times of trouble. They even meet a young African American boy named Mike and add him as the seventh and final member of their club.
Eventually, all the friends realize that they are being haunted and stalked by the same creature that killed Bill's younger brother. Piecing together clues about Derry's past and experiencing their own fears and traumas, The Losers Club come into conflict with the entity that exploits their fears and realize they must face "Pennywise" and save themselves and other victims the clown
Featuring a classy selection of young acting talents who make up Bill and the rest of The Losers Club, Jaeden Lieberher (Bill), Jeremy Ray Taylor (Ben), Sophia Lillis (Beverly), Finn Wolfhard (Richie), Wyatt Olef (Stan), Jack Dylan Grazer (Eddie), and Chosen Jacobs (Mike) are all exceptional kids who have bright futures ahead in Hollywood following their performances here in "IT". They're easily relatable and act just like late 80's pre-adolescent children that are thrust into a supernatural situation that is well and above anything they've encountered. They're outcasts that are constantly ridiculed, bullied, and mistreated by society and those they interact with on a daily basis... And they're the only ones who are brave and strong enough to fight Pennywise, who is brilliantly brought to life in a terrifying manner by Bill Skarsgard.
To say that Skarsgard's version of Pennywise is awesome is nothing short of an understatement. Tim Curry brought his own unique mark in the 90's with his twisted portrayal of the clown monster that required little special effects, but Bill Skarsgard goes a step beyond with the aid of today's technological advancements in practical effects and CGI - and makes audiences scared easily with his frightful performance of "IT". He's easily the breakout star of this movie, and will definitely put those unprepared at the edge of their seats. Let's just say he's got new forms of scares to present to veterans and newbies... That's all you need to know to keep yourselves afloat like balloons ready to pop.
So in keeping with horror traditions and Stephen King's original vision, the 2017 film adaptation of "IT" is just another great horror flick to walk into theaters and see. True it doesn't literally adapt every single detail of the novel (as it should given some controversial parts) and sets this in the 80's, but that's ok since it delivers everything you can imagine scary about the concept of a supernatural shapeshifting clown hunting and killing kids in spades. This is just "Chapter One" too, so stay tuned for the inevitable sequel and when "The Losers Club" reunite years later to fight Pennywise and attempt to eliminate him once and for all.
"It" is now showing in theaters courtesy of Warner Bros. Philippines
Rating - 5/5
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