10/10

I finally saw It.

After so much anticipation and book reading. I finally got to sit in a packed theater and prepare to experience this film. I’ve got to say, seeing the Georgie scene in full effect on the big screen was honestly very surreal.

It didn’t sink in yet that I was finally seeing it. That the day had finally come. However when the title finally appeared. I was ready. So now the most important thing that I can say about this film is…

I want to see it again.

I loved this film. I’m not being a blind fanboy when saying that just because I read the book…

(Well part of the book)

No, I loved this movie. It was great, it was everything that I was hoping it would be and delivered an extremely fun experience to watch over and over again. I so enjoyed everything about this. Sure there are a few cracks in the armor. However I find it very difficult for the flaws to affect my overall feeling toward this film.

And that’s what a 10/10 movie is to me. I don’t think the flaws that I noticed really warrant this down to a 9/10 but gosh, movies shouldn’t invoke numbers. They should invoke feelings. This isn’t a math assignment.

And this felt like a 10/10 film in terms of my enjoyment of it.

The direction by Andy Muschietti is energetic and full of spirit. The camerawork has a mind of its own and is playfully fluid, if that makes sense. The cinematography is downright beautiful at times. Not stale at all. The word stale shouldn’t even be allowed near any of these technical aspects.

So this is a very character driven film and less plot driven. From the few reviews I’ve skimmed before watching the film, this did not exactly work for everyone. I don’t really think there’s any other way to tell this story though. It’s all about the characters. The strongest aspect is the characters. Most of this film was just solid character development. Developing their fears and their personalities.

That’s cool with me.

So now let’s discuss the characters. Everyone’s said it. I’m no different…

THESE KIDS ARE FANTASTIC ACTORS!

Let’s discuss the Losers Club one by one from strongest to weakest.

Beverly Marsh: She’s probably the strongest character out of the Losers Club. Pennywise knows this is true too. Which is why I’ve kind of come around to a certain plot point that I was skeptic towards. She’s the best character in both the movie and the book. Not that horrendous Miniseries though. Forget that.

When asked who doesn’t want to go into the house on Neibolt Street…

She’s the only one who doesn’t raise her hand.

Love it.

She’s got the spunk. She’s got the edge. She’s got the attitude. She’s got the cigarettes. Nothing that the miniseries Beverly had but everything that the book Beverly had. Also the actress that plays her, Sophia Lillis, I’m not being hyperbolic here, I think she deserves an Oscar nomination for this. If not this than I do see one in her future for many different films. She was incredibly real. That bathroom scene is top tier.

That whole scene is excellent for a number of reasons. The blood red aesthetic of that scene is excellent. However her acting is the main reason it’s so good.

Richie Tozier: Finn Wolfhard, he is just too funny in this. I like how they changed it from Richie doing voices all the time to Richie just cracking jokes. I mean, he did a few voices but not a lot. This kid had fantastic comedic timing though. All his jokes landed right on the target. Great comic relief that doesn’t feel forced at all like most comic reliefs do nowadays.

He’s bodacious and loud because he needs to be. I noticed in two separate instances he is left behind. He hates that. He needs attention. It can come down to just playing the tuba. Notice how he gets really freaked out when he sees that flyer.

Eddie Kaspbrak: The actor portraying him was pitch perfect. Jack Dylan Grazer, another great actor in this cast. He’s actually really charismatic and also very funny. Not one liners but just from all his phobias. He probably has one of the best quotes too.

Bill Denbrough: I did not expect for him to have his stutter. It’s done really well though. Jaeden Lieberher gives another solid performance in his career. He’s got a good arc about acceptance.

Ben Hanscom: Jeremy Ray Taylor did great as Ben. The haiku actually was a pretty big plot point in the film which I enjoyed. Also the New kids on the Block stuff was gold.

January Embers.

Mike Hanlon: Not given a lot to do. Kind of a shame but Chosen Jacobs did good with what he was given.

Stanley Uris: probably the weakest. He’s always been the weakest. Not the actors fault. Wyatt Oleff did good. Stan was always the last to enter but the first to leave. Nice one, movie. Nice one.

Obviously, Beverly and Richie were the standouts from the film.

So, Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the dancing clown…

He crushed it.

Had the childlike playfulness to him but also had the threatening presence of pure death. I loved every second he was on screen. Much better than Tim Curry. His eyes were a very cool aspect that they played with too. It is darkly funny too as It should be. Like when It’s teasing Eddie. Or that dance he does for Beverly.

His screentime is minimal but definitely memorable. I could rewatch all his scenes right now.

Overall, this had lots of very memorable scenes. The Rock fight in all its Antisocial glory. Beverly’s bathroom scene. That Pharmacy scene was so well written and executed with the Losers and Beverly. Awkward done right.

It didn’t really scare me. However I didn’t want to go into this just wanting to be petrified the whole time. I just wanted to be invested. I wanted to be scared but for the characters and I was thoroughly invested. So yes, I would probably recommend this film. It hit all the right notes with me. It was a film that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. And neither will you.

So see It.

And you’ll float too.