Horror with Soul

Rating: 9/10 (13 August 2019)

Whether you're a fan of the novel, the original miniseries, or both, you'll find something in this film to refresh your interest.
The kids are spectacular. The scares are well-produced, even where the CG is heavy-handed. The spirit and flavor of the book, the heart of it, is very much intact for anyone willing to look.
For detractors who see a Stranger Things scapegoating, I'd ask you to consider that the book was published over thirty years ago with characters who were meant to be contemporary. Setting aside the budgetary issues involved in encapsulating both the fifties and the eighties (production design for It 2017 didn't cover proper packaging in the pharmacy scenes, whether by choice or not), sticking to the original timeline would have obstructed the story itself. It would be less accessible, and with more time wasted making the touchstones of generation upon generation ring true. Time moves on, and these characters have moved with it.
That said, It was incredibly well-crafted by people who seem to love and understand the source material, both its profanity and its divinity. I'm more excited for Chapter 2 next month than I've been for any horror release in memory.
See you in Derry.