A good film that could've been great but is still loads of fun.

Rating: 7/10 (7 September 2017)

This is a good film but not great by any means. Perhaps, to some extent it is the film buff in me or the Stephen King fan as well, even though I am not a die hard King fan, but I truly love and appreciate It more than most novels. Another could be the fact I am not a teenager and am 40. I grew up afraid of clowns because of the circus, Ronald McDonald and mimes and was ridiculed and teased for it for years. This also was when the very real urban legend of pedophiles dressed up as clowns were driving vans and cars around New England trying to lure kids into their vehicles many years before "It" was even around. Creepy stuff but very real.
The original mini-series horrified me with the chameleon Tim Curry. Let's face it the only reason anyone remembers that film was Curry (even though the kids were great). In many ways, Curry spoiled us with showing why and how clowns are, or can be scary without needing crazy effects. This brings us to the remake. Personally, for a guy that clowns can scare still (think Bozo, Gacy, old school mimes, Curry) Skarsgard's Pennywise had none of that, but he sure brought the laughs. I really did enjoy when he was actually in the film but the overhaul of CGI took away from his performance. Over the top? Oh yes, but great fun regardless.
I really enjoyed this film because it is a lot of fun. The kids to me were the film as much as the atmosphere was, but the character changes show how underdeveloped many of the characters were written such as Henry Bowers, Belch, Victor Criss, Patrick Hockstetter, and poor Mike Hanlon has nothing to do, which to any It fan raises red flags. Despite this character shift, the film still works. I see the film as some have called it as a darker version of Stand By Me but without any amazing acting or writing. Everyone in the film however, was good, but having no real character development before we rush you to the next big jump, or scare really left a bad taste in my mouth.
Muschietti has some real talent (remember Mama?) in how the camera tells the story and he sure as hell loves the big scares but goes for them way too often which at times at least in my opinion takes away from its effectiveness as in overkill. One thing you can take away from it is, these kids can act and its a lot of fun viewing despite the horrible CGI shoved down your throat, the character rushing, and big changes that leave you scratching your head. Of course, many will likely have no idea what I am talking about, but others you know who you are.
Personally, Skarsgard was likable, over the top of course but scary? Nah. I thought he did good with what he had but I found myself thinking who would be afraid of this clown? I wasn't, but perhaps that is the adult in me talking, although Curry sure as hell makes me flinch still to this day by mere looks and mannerisms alone. Here, Skarsgard's take on Pennywise does not seem developed if that even makes sense, and comes off trying too hard in longer scenes. At times early on he sounded like Yoda, then later on goofy noises and a voice resembling Heath Ledger's brilliant Joker, which on a side note I have found in several characters of late, so perhaps I am projecting. I found it amusing but not scary.
In the end, It is a fun film that has a lot of good points but also is lacking in several others. If you are a King nut there are a couple of plot points that will no doubt make you rather angry, I get it I saw it too, but the film is still enjoyable despite them. Grab your popcorn, milk duds, sour patches, soft drinks, and enjoy the fun film that IT truly is.