“It” is a coming-of-age horror movie set in the fictional small town of Derry, Maine, in the 1980s. “It” follows the exploits of the Loser’s Club, a gang of misfits and nerds who are trying to investigate the mystery behind the town’s sudden influx of missing persons. The two most notable stars are Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the Clown and Finn Wolfhard, star of hit Netflix series “Stranger Things,” as Richie Tozier.
This movie is a perfect example of a reboot done right. Starting with the performances, every member of the relatively new-to-the-scene child cast is phenomenal. There is no overacting and each character has a distinct personality and role to play. This group dynamic can add drama and tension to scenes but it also provides many instances of humor.
The adult cast was excellent as well. The standout performance of the adult cast has to go to Bill Skarsgård for his portrayal of Pennywise. Unnerving, creepy and frightening, Skarsgård’s Pennywise is a formidable villain in every sense of the word.
Next, the costumes and set design also added to the cinematic experience. The details helped immerse the viewer into this small, 1980s town without hitting the viewer over the head and reminding him or her of the time period.
Era-appropriate costumes, props and pop culture references added to the aesthetic of the movie as well. Overall, as much as I enjoyed the film, there is one thing big horror fans should know about before seeing this movie: “It” is not amazingly frightening. “It” is not a jumpscare or gore-heavy film but more of a creepy, unnerving coming-of-age tale. This coming-of-age motif is an integral facet of the film. “It” deals with accepting the loss of a family member and relationships between parents and friends.
Also, as mentioned earlier, this movie has an abundance of humor. This may dissuade some hardcore horror movie fans but it only added to the enjoyment of the movie.
Overall, “It” is definitely worth the price of admission whether you are a avid lover of horror movies or a casual movie goer looking to have a good time.
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