31 Days of Horror 2018: It (2017)

Directed by Andy Muschietti.

2017. Rated R, 135 minutes.

Cast:

Jaeden Lieberher

Bill Skarsgård

Sophia Lillis

Finn Wolfhard

Jeremy Ray Taylor

Chosen Jacobs

Jack Dylan Grazer

Wyatt Oleff

Nicholas Hamilton

Jackson Robert Scott

As if we needed to be told, our movie is set in October. More important than that, it is 1988. We'll get into why that matters a little later. What matters at this moment is that, for some reason, little Georgie (Scott) thinks its a good idea to play in the rain. He goes out wearing the quickly iconic yellow raincoat, playing with a paper sailboat given to him by his older brother Bill (Lieberher). If you've seen the trailer, you know that Georgie will inexplicably come across an evil clown hanging out in the sewer. It doesn't go well for Georgie. At some point, we learn that the clown's name is Pennywise (Skarsgård), but not before we fast-forward a year. That's when we join the grief-stricken Bill and his band of misfits go on a quest to find his brother's body in hopes the boy is still alive. Along the way, they have to deal with a crew slightly older hooligans out to kick their tails at every turn. Of course, the more dangerous entity is Pennywise who seems to always be around the next corner or popping out of the nearest shadows.

Now, about 1988. It makes no bones about using nostalgia as its preferred form of currency. The movie doesn't just look like the 80s, it feels like it could've been made back then. In true 80s fashion, it's a group of kids who don't quite fit in with the rest, on an adventure. Each character is the right kind of quirky, making them a bunch of lovable losers. We travel with them, get to know them, and develop an affection for them. This is what pulls us through the movie more than anything. If not for that, none of the proposed frights would have any effect.They do because we care for them. Younger viewers might find it reminiscent of the Netflix show Stranger Things, but it's really a page torn from Steven Spielberg's, and even more so, Rob Reiner's playbook. With the entire plot revolving around a dead body and a gang of older kids hot on their trails, this is very much Stand by Me with a killer clown.

As derivative as all that sounds, this movie pulls it together in a way that truly works. The young cast, including Finn Wolfhard from the aforementioned Stranger Things pulls off their roles really well. Wolfhard, however, is not the standout. I'm a bit undecided on who that is, but I do have three really strong contenders. Our de facto leads, Jaeden Lieberher and Sophia Lillis, as Beverly, the only girl in the crew, do an outstanding job carrying the film for much of the runtime. However, Jeremy Ray Taylor, who plays Ben, proves to be quite the scene-stealer. Of course, the rest of the cast is not bad. In fact, they all acquit themselves rather nicely.

While the cast is very good, they aren't what brings us to the edge of our seats. That would be Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise. He fully embodies the character in every way imaginable, imbuing the clown with equal parts silliness and menace. When he's on the screen there is nothing else it is even possible to watch. You simply cannot tear your eyes away from him. He's aided by some wonderful visuals that play up the supernatural elements of the character. The visuals, in turn, receive  mammoth help from the score. It's utilized in such a way that it heightens tension right as Pennywise is making his approach towards our heroes or just doing something to otherwise dazzle the eyes. I know the normal thing, here, is to compare his performance with that of Tim Curry from the 1990 TV mini-series. Unfortunately for you, I've only seen small parts of it, and not since the early 90s. Therefore, I really can't tell you how Skarsgård stacks up. I can only tell you that he is phenomenal. His only shortcomings are due to the script. What exactly Pennywise is, his abilities, and why he does certain things don't always make sense. It's all a bit murky. Luckily, the other elements of film-making, namely the tension-building is good enough that we're not concerned with any of that. We're very busy enjoying the moment.

Over and over, the movie makes sure that we stay locked into what's happening that particular second. The tactics it employs are basic, but used to perfection. It makes for a movie that functions exactly the way a kiddie horror flick should. Technically, it's not really meant for kids since it is Rated R, but this is one I wouldn't mind the early and mid-teens watching, so long as they're not too easily freaked out. It brings them, and us, some very tense, even scary moments with a charismatic and unsettling villain, and a swift pace helping it maintain a sense of fun. This helps take the movie a long way beyond it's two biggest flaws. First is it's undeniably derivative nature. Not only is it another adaptation of a decades old Stephen King novel, it also parrots a number of well-known movies, importing their aesthetics and plenty of the tropes. Second, that villain can be a bit confusing if you think about him a bit. Luckily, you will be so busy having a good time,you probably won't be.  With charm in spades, at least as much nostalgia, and flat-out exuberant film-making,  It is one of the most fun entries in the horror genre in quite some time.