HallowScream - It (2017)

     Hey guys, Chuck here. Well, it wouldn't be the Halloween season without talking about Stephen King, so, during HallowScream, it's only appropriate to review some of the films on my shelf based on the works of Stephen King. And what better one to start off with than the 2017 horror sensation: It. Based on the iconic horror novel by Stephen King, It was directed by Andy Muschietti, and was the first film in a two-film adaptation of the original novel.  But was splitting the story into two films a good move, or just a ploy to ring more money out of film-goers? Let's find out as we take a look at It. 

    We open up in the town of Derry, Maine, in the year 1988, and we meet Bill Denbrough, who makes a paper sailboat for his little brother, Georgie. Georgie, decked out in rain gear, then goes to send it sailing in the rainwater-filled gutter, only to fall behind and see it fall into the storm drain, upsetting Georgie. Georgie is then greeted by Pennywise the Clown, who offers him the boat back. As Georgie reaches for the boat, Pennywise grabs his arm and bites it off. Crawling away in pain, Georgie screams in fear and is pulled into the storm drain by Pennywise, never to be seen again. 

    Several months pass, and it's the summer of 1989, and the last day of school for Bill and his friends Stanley Uris, Eddie Kaspbrak, and Richie "The Trashmouth" Tozier. The four friends, also known as the "Losers Club," is set to investigate some of the odd goings on around Derry, specifically, Georgie's disappearance. They are eventually joined by three other members: Beverly Marsh, Mike Hanlon, and new kid in town Ben Hanscom. Together, the Losers Club investigate the disappearances of kids all around Derry, frightening figures that appear in front of the kids, and the mystery of Pennywise the Clown. One major obstacle that the Losers Club has to deal with, aside from Pennywise and his multiple frightening forms, is local bully and complete psychopath Henry Bowers. The Losers Club also learns that Pennywise carries out his actions once every twenty-seven years. And I think I'll leave it at that, because I don't want to spoil the story for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. 

    Let's be honest, It is one of the scariest films made in a long time, and this is primarily due to the lack of overused jump scares, and the fact that it lets the story be scary enough with smart building of tension and genuine frights. The kids who portray the Losers Club are easily the most memorable thing about the movie. The big stand-outs here are Jack Dylan Grazer as Eddie and Finn Wolfhard as Richie. The banter between the two is as funny as it is believable. Seriously, ever since the first season of Stranger Things, Finn Wolfhard has been on a roll in his career, which is very impressive for an actor at his age. But the real stand-out in this movie is Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise. From the design, his demeanor, and his childlike voice, Bill Skarsgard gave a truly haunting performance that will be remembered for years. Overall, It is definitely a terrific horror film, and definitely deserves a rating of 5/5. Now as I said, It was only the first film of a two film set. The second film, titled It Chapter Two, focuses on the Losers Club as adults returning to Derry to finish what they started in this film, and will be getting a review later on this month, as we continue HallowScream. 

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