Review of It (2017) by Yoshi8869 — 21 Dec 2017

"It" is a refreshing film with one of the most talented child acting cast ever to play on the silver screen. The entire cast of kids was phenomenal, especially considering this is a bunch of relatively fresh faces, similar to Stranger Things. Ironically, Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler) stars as Richie in this film.

The depiction of Pennywise is genuinely unsettling and Skarsgard does a fantastic job. The visuals are very well done, but nothing too far above or beyond the average modern horror film these days. However, the soundtrack is a cut above the rest. Benjamin Wallfisch, who has had relatively limited experience scoring blockbusters, really shines in this film. Hopefully he does just as well with Blade Runner 2049. The production value can seem a little corny and some little details don't appear to be exclusively 80's-90's, but it's still worthy of praise.

The premise of the film follows rather closely the novel by Stephen King. To appreciate the plot is to appreciate the novel as well, but the way the film portrays broken homes, abusive parents, and a lonely group of kids just trying to get by through the fellowship of one another is subtle and real. The scenes in which you see the kids being bullied would hit home for anyone who's been bullied themselves. The scenes portraying neglectful and abusive families reminds all of us that some kids in this world go through this every day.

Lastly, praise to Andy Muschietti for making one of the most accurate portrayals of a Stephen King novel to date. This goes up there with Kubrick's "The Shining". This is wholesome, shocking, brutally real, and will have you in tears at the end and reminiscing on that one love you too left to move away to some far off town leaving you alone with your nerdy, loser* friends ;) Can't wait for Chapter Two!

*lover.

1. Production: 24.5/30.

A. Acting: 9.5/10.

B. Crew: 7/10.

C. Direction: 8/10.

2. Story: 26/30.

A. Plot: 7/10.

B. Characters: 10/10.

C. Presentation: 9/10.

3. Immersion: 26/30.

A. Soundtrack: 9/10.

B. Art: 9/10.

C. Style: 8/10.

Total: 85%.

(Bonus 1/90 for personal enjoyment).

Final Score.

86.