Stephen King’s IT is a monster tome – it’s a
fast read for a lot of pages. It was a mini-series a long time ago starring Tim
Curry. Now a new movie is on the big screen and it is a worthy adaptation.
Derry, Maine seems like a charming little town. It’s 1988 and Billy makes a
paper boat for little brother Georgie to float in the rain. Alas, a storm drain
proves Georgie’s undoing as Pennywise the clown (Bill Skarsgard) smiles and
lures him closer…closer…and snatches him. Kids seem to be disappearing in this
town. Billy and his band of Losers start investigating and arrive at a very
scary solution.
Meanwhile, the bullying of the Losers, the implied home
abuse of others, and more hint at the horrors of childhood for so many. Stephen
King has always had underlying themes in his work – the daily horror of life
versus an otherworldly element. Sewer systems, haunted home, the well, and
basements. IT taps into plenty of creaking doors, not to mention
the fears in the mind. This movie is R due to language and subject
matter. The pacing, filming, and effects are excellent. The kids are all
superb, and IT is a good kickoff to the fall movie season.
Be wary if a red balloon drifts in your direction.
