Spoilers Stephen King's IT movie - Grading and Discussion

Discussion in 'Science Fiction & Fantasy' started by Dream, Sep 8, 2017.

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Grade the IT movie

  1. A+

    25.0%
  2. A

    12.5%
  3. A-

    18.8%
  4. B+

    25.0%
  5. B

    6.3%
  6. B-

    6.3%
  7. C+

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  8. C

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  9. C-

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  10. D+

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  11. D

    6.3%
  12. D-

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  13. F

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. shapeshifter

    shapeshifter Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2007
    Location:
    Land of Illusion
    Thumbs down (D) from me.

    I don't get what all the excitement is about. The beginning was the only scary part for me. After that it devolved into The Goonies meet killer clown from outer space but promptly kick it's ass. R rated horror? Really? Opening sequence excepted, I've seen way scarier PG-13.

    To its credit, the major part of the ride is fair enough; throughout its course it keeps upping the ante for Pennywise's terror level with each of his appearances. Each time adding a new level of implied cunning and sophistication which increasingly convince me every one is doomed, no one is getting out of this alive. But then, *POOF!* the clock runs out. Pennywise suddenly becomes an idiot, easily outsmarted by a bunch of kids, and any tragic emotional punch I was feeling drains away when a magical fairytale reset button gets pushed.

    I never read the book so I cannot say how this It compares but if this is a faithful rendering then I am glad I never wasted the time reading It.
     
  2. Trekker4747

    Trekker4747 Boldly going... Premium Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2001
    Location:
    Trekker4747
    I think Chastain really has the look for an adult Bev as well as the acting chops to give adult Bev the "edge" she needs given her life. Granting that Amy Adams is no acting slouch, but Chastain has more the look.

    I suspect the violence, blood and language had more to do with the "R" than the "horror" aspects in it. Because it was more intensity and thriller than it was "horror."

    Pennywise's strength/ability was dependent on fear, since the kids, when all together, showed no fear towards him he wasn't as strong.

    Though it did seem at times he was less inclined to attack the children, he attacked the kid brother from the storm drain pretty viciously and, evidently, killed him. But then with Bev he just put her in a trance and then seemed ready to "store" her and he teases at the kids a lot too. I mean, he had the Jewish kid's face in his mouth and didn't take him completely out? I guess maybe he was looking more to "store" these kids for his 30-year some odd slumber so he essentially putting these kids in comatose cocoons/webbing; but taking out the core kids seemed to be more of a challenge than it probably should have been for him. But, again, it could be because the kids weren't genuinely that afraid of him and able to push through it.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2017
  3. Captaindemotion

    Captaindemotion Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    May 26, 2001
    Location:
    Ireland
    B+ from me. I loved the book when I was a teen and read it loads of times. Quite liked the miniseries and I'll watch Tim Curry in anything but it couldn't really do King's vision justice.

    This is a pretty solid jump-in-your-seat shocker with good performances from the mostly unknown cast. I found it interesting that no adult had more than a handful of lines or scenes in it. Pennywise was as creepy and scary as he should be and comparisons with Curry are kinda pointless IMHO. It probably comes down to who you saw first. By the way, was there a doll like the miniseries version in the hall of clown dolls? Could've sworn there was.

    I'd cast Amy Adams as Beverly (was the 'you look like Lois Lane' line coincidental? Probably!) and Tobey Maguire as Billy. Maybe Jason Miller as Stan? Not sure about the others.
     
  4. Dream

    Dream Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2001
    Location:
    Derry, Maine
    IT Chapter 2 coming in September 6, 2019
    I knew it! I had a feeling the sequel was coming out on a September.:D
     
  5. Dream

    Dream Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2001
    Location:
    Derry, Maine
    Burger King Russia Wants 'It' Movie Banned Because Pennywise is 'Exact Copy' of Mcdonald's Rival Clown
    Well, that is stupid as fuck!:guffaw:
     
  6. Starbreaker

    Starbreaker Fleet Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2001
    Location:
    Birmingham, AL
    A-/B+ from me. I think it would have actually benefitted from being a 3 hour long movie. I thought all the kids were great actors, but I kind of missed their interactions in the Barrens. The one scene with the cliff diving was good, though. I'll give them that.

    I was never scared and was never on the edge of my seat, but I did enjoy it overall. I thought this was going to be more of a horror movie because that's what they focused on in the trailers, but it ended up a good coming of age film.