Review of It (2017) by Teddywyman — 07 Sep 2017

Probably the best movie-going experience of my life. Definitely worth seeing in the theaters. The movie was hilarious, frightening, satisfying, emotionally deep, thematically complex, and just a genuinely enjoyable experience.

It had its flaws, but they were minimum, and they didn't detract from the central aspects of the film. What sets it apart most, however, is the profoundly entertaining aspect of seeing it in the theater.

I was in a packed showing on the opening Friday night in a theater that seated over 500 people with some of my best friends there. At first, it was kind of annoying that people were talking and bustling a bit during the movie; I generally detest when anyone makes even the slightest noise during a public movie.

However, what I soon came to realize was that the audience was experiencing this film together in a way I hadn't experienced before. The laughs, of which there are many (the majority coming from a spectacular Finn Wolfhard) were genuine and you felt like you were laughing with everyone around you.

The screams were terrifying and the cheers were loud and the applause was booming and I know this sounds like an exaggeration but it was a truly unique experience. Especially in the wake of such a dismal Summer for Hollywood, they really ought take note here.

Studios need to give us a reason to go out and see movies, and a reason to not wait 'til we can just watch 'em on our couch at home. They need to turn it into a shared experience that is unique and unattainable through any other means.

It did exactly that. On top of that, the acting was superb and I truly felt as though each character was almost exactly how I'd imagined them while reading the book. The writing was good, with the jokes being clever and the themes being thought-provoking, though one downside was that sometimes they kind of hit you over the head as opposed to leaving things up to interpretation or at least letting us figure things out on our own.

The cinematography was quite good and there were many shots that stuck with me. And lastly it was just a compelling and entertaining movie that was heart-pounding from start to finish. Maybe the biggest downside is that it will be hard to match this experience with the sequel.

However, I have high hopes, and even if that one flops this story in it of itself is touching and will hold a special place in my heart.