IT (2017)

Well, I finally saw the new IT movie, part one, and I have mixed feelings about it, to be honest.  I won’t even begin to compare either movie to the book, that’s just too much to discuss.  However, there are differences between the 90s version and the 2017 version.  Some of these make sense to me, others don’t.

I understand why Pennywise looks different.  The director figured since IT’s been around for over 100 years, that Pennywise would be more of an antique or vintage style clown, which in my opinion, is creepier than the bright, vibrant Pennywise of the 90s. 

I have to say, before I go any further, that I absolutely LOVE Tim Curry, the original Pennywise.  He is so, I don’t know, over-the-top and dramatic that he was just perfect for that role in the original.  His sarcasm was one of the things I enjoyed the most.  That “I’m just here to screw with you” attitude is absolutely hysterical to me.  Plus, it does add a certain feeling to the movie, kind of like “You’re just a toy to me, a plaything for entertainment, and when I’m done and bored, I’ll kill you.”  I truly didn’t think that I was going to be okay with Skarsgard replacing Curry, but, it totally worked.

The new Pennywise character is much funnier and could be considered a lot scarier (if I got scared by things like that).  Skarsgard really takes the taunting of the Losers Club to a whole new level.  He’s more like a schoolyard bully wrapped up in an antiquated clown suit.  And he plays the bully to the hilt.

Now, speaking of bullies, I have to say that the new Henry Bowers looks eerily similar to the original Bowers, except the 2017 Bowers has lighter hair cut into a mullet.  And his overall personality is more angry and violent.  Nicholas Hamilton looks and acts so similar to Jarred Blancard (90s Bowers) that I thought the transition between the two versions was practically seamless.

Also, Richie is so much funnier in the 2017 version.  He’s my favorite character out of the Losers Club in the new movie.  They also made Richie afraid of clowns when, in the original, he is afraid of the werewolf he keeps seeing.

There ARE some things I don’t get.  I don’t understand why they made the kids go into the Neibolt house.  I mean, I’ll admit it’s a cool looking, creepy house but, it just didn’t sit right with me that they get to the sewers through the house.  Also, in the house, Eddie breaks his arm.  Eddie doesn’t get injured in the original until they’re adults.  At most Eddie gets bullied into an asthma attack.  They also made his mother seem truly out of touch with reality, instead of just super over protective and imposing her hypochondriac views on Eddie. But, one of the biggest differences is the fact that they changed the entire era that the movie takes place! In the original and in the book, the Losers Club is younger, the Bowers Gang is younger and it all takes place around the mid-60s (give or take).  Because they changed the era, things like Bowers cutting Haystack with the knife just doesn’t seem as plausible.  I don’t remember kids at my school attacking kids with knives in the 80s.  It’s just out of place now.  And that was a big clue into Henry’s mentality…and now it’s a little obscure because of the times.  And yes, I know they want to make it more current but, other things like having an account at the pharmacy…that was well over by the late 80s.  People didn’t do that anymore.  That was a 50s-60s thing. And before.  When people trusted people and a handshake was signing on the dotted line. 

Also, in the original, Bev doesn’t get taken by IT…ever.  Now, it’s been over 20 years since I read the book so, I can’t remember much about that, but the original movie I know pretty much by heart.  And Bev doesn’t get taken. 

One of the reasons I have such a problem with remakes is because the new movie always has changes to the storyline, changes to the characters and just isn’t ever the same.  I understand that a lot of people don’t want it to be the same.  But, when I think of a remake and what it should be, it should be the original movie with better special effects and new actors.  I hate that they always change things, sometimes drastically (like Clash of the Titans…total let down).

Now, ALL THAT being said, I actually did like this movie.  I thought it was eerie and creepy and made very well.  I kind of expected a little more gore because of the advancements in technology now but, it was still a great flick to watch.  I just have to resign myself to the fact that it’s just going to be different.  Not necessarily better, just different. (2+2=4 isn’t better than 3+1=4…just a different way to express the same thing.)  So, I WILL be waiting for the second part, just to see what they did with the rest of the movie.  Hopefully, not too many more changes.

RATING
4/5

That’s it for now! Thanks for reading!!!