Only as Good as Your Source/Script

Rating: 6/10 (16 September 2017)

I remember seeing several people I knew reading a very thick looking Stephen King's "IT" paperback novel, and asking how it was with a "so-so" initial response. I've never been much of a fiction reader. That reaction is about the same as my take on this new 2017 remake movie from director Andy Muschietti (whom I've never heard of until now). It has the feel more recently of Super 8 and Muschietti is reaching into 80s material (ala Goonies, ET, or Stand by Me) to recreate it. This aspect of the movie is endearing, but the comedy shtick is cliché and repetitive and the horror only marginal. In short the source material is not strong enough. So while the slick updated effects help, especially with Pennywise the Monster clown, the movie is disjointed, clichéd, and repetitive thanks to a disjointed, repetitive story. Maybe recommended for Stephen King fans though 6/10, but it's no "Shining" though.