Film Review: "It" (2017).

"You'll float too". Prepare for It (or It: Chapter One) (2017). This supernatural horror film directed by Andy Muschietti, adapted by Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga, and Gary Dauberman, based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Stephen King. It is intended to be the first installment in a planned duology. When children begin to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine, a group of young kids are faced with their biggest fears when they square off against an evil clown named Pennywise, whose history of murder and violence dates back for centuries.

The project first entered development in 2009, David Kajganich was first attached to pen the script in 2009, with Dan Lin, Roy Lee and Doug Davison as producers. In June 2012, Cary Fukunaga was brought on to direct and co-write with Chase Palmer. In addition, Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg were added to the producing roster. In May 2014, it was announced that Warner Bros. had moved the film to its New Line Cinema division. In December, Lin announced that the film would be split into two films. In May 2015, it was officially announced that Will Poulter had been cast to play Pennywise. Afterwards, it was reported that Fukunaga had suddenly dropped out of the project over creative differences. In July, it was announced that Andy Muschietti was in negociations to replace Fukunaga. Muschietti’s sister and collaborator, Barbara, was also brought on as producer. In February 2016, Roy Lee confirmed that the script had been rewritten. In April, Poulter had dropped out of the project due to scheduling conflicts. In June, both Bill Skarsgård and Jaeden Lieberher were both confirmed to portray Pennywise and Bill Denbrough. By the end of June, the rest of the cast was rounded out. Principal Photography on the film took place in Ontario, locations included Toronto, Port Hope, Oshawa, and Riverdale. In July, the first offical image of Pennywise debuted. In February 2017, Lin confirmed that It would be rated R. In March, New Line released the official teaser poster, and then a 139-second teaser trailer the following day. The trailer reached 197 million views in its first 24 hours, setting a new record as the trailer with the most views in one day.

The film stars Skarsgård, Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, and Jack Dylan Grazer. Each of the seven young actors gave performances that were sweet, strong, ribald, outrageous, funny, a bit rough around the edges, and pure. Simply one of the film's greatest treasures that absolutely must not be missed. But the key performance came from none other than Mr. Skarsgård. Who gave a terrifying tour-de-force performance that moves Pennywise away from Tim Curry's interpretation into much darker territory. His sinister and frightening performance constantly upstaged the young performers, as well as being mesmerizing.

Nerve-frying and sensationally effective, for the most part, It (2017) is a gripping and terrifying horror film that works beautifully because it's populated with characters that have been developed into human beings. It exquisitely captures the vulnerability of youth.

Simon says It (2017) receives:

Also, see my review for Mama.