Stephen King’s IT is instantly recognizable in any media form. Most remember it in the form of the 1990 made for television mini-series starring Tim Curry as Pennywise. When the 2017 incarnation of the famous novel was announced fans everywhere were making comparisons between the two. There really can’t be a comparison between the two because they seem like opposite ends of the spectrum adaptations of the same property. 2017’s IT, directed by Mama’s Andy Muschietti is the much more faithful adaptation, getting to really dive into and explore not only the Losers Club and how they interact and function, but the lore behind Pennywise and the town of Derry, making a story about a supernatural being that primarily takes the form of a clown and feeds on children and fear feel as grounded as possible. This is in no small part thanks to the amazing young cast. Led by Jaeden Lieberher and Stranger Things’s Finn Wolfhard as “Studdering” Bill and Richie, there isn’t a weak link in the batch. Sophia Lillis, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Wyatt Oleff all give amazing performances, having excellent chemistry with one another, and practically carrying a 2 hour and 12 minute movie by themselves. What works so well is that this movie feels like a coming of age movie, with supernatural horror elements present, instead of the other way around and this works very well for IT. The movie also gets to spend so much time exploring its characters because it focuses on the beginning of the Losers Club journey, instead of jumping from future to past, saving their adulthood return to Derry for the potential Part II.

Of course there is Bill Skarsgård as the titualar IT, Pennywise the Clown. Skarsgård takes Tim Curry’s hard to fill shoes, and fills them easily, giving a unique take on the character, while still at times paying homage to his predecessor. Skarsgård has great on screen chemistry with all the young stars. (If the fear looks genuine, it is. The Losers club was kept separate from Pennywise until their scenes together to keep the fear and emotion honest). Fortunately Pennywise is used sparingly, never overstaying his welcome and keeping fans guessing as to when and where he will pop up next. If I had to find a nitpick with the movie, it would be that when Pennywise is on screen, sometimes CGI is used on him to accentuate his features and remind everyone that he is a monster, when sometimes it seems his genuine features and make-up seem more than enough to get scares out of cast and audience. This incarnation of the novel is also fortunate enough to have an R-rating, giving it all the liberties to be just as gruesome as its source material, making it a huge leap/ standout from the TV series.

The movie’s musical score, conducted by Benjamin Wallfisch, works perfectly with the movie, encapsulating whatever emotion the certain scene is conveying. Who would have guessed a movie about a Clown that torments children could have so much humor and heart? Everyone involved with this movie gave it their all, from the newcomers in the cast, to Andy Muschietti behind the camera. IT is the perfect way to exit the summer movie season, with a smart, terrifying, and faithful adaptation of one of King’s most renowned novels. I for one can’t wait to see Pennywise or the Losers Club again, bring on part II!

8 out of 10.