A potentially great film that is just good.

Rating: 7/10 (8 September 2017)

In regard to the book and the TV series I will only say that no comparison will be made. The source material is legendary and is considered a trademark novel in American literary history, so the movie had a more that potent source to draw inspiration from.
The movie is a very well crafted, nicely shoot and well made with more than a few scares that really rattle the cages of the viewers. Still, a bitter taste was felt after the end of the movie, simply because more was expected.
There main reasons why this movie is not a great movie are as follow:
1) The length. Running for about 135 minutes, I was under the impression that all of the main plot lines and character backstories were going to be depicted in the movie. They are not. What we were presented with was a too long and dragged intro of about 40 minutes that is solely comprised of jump scares that should have introduced us to the characters. At one point this type of storytelling becomes dull and one starts to wonder if there is more to the movie. But, thankfully, the story picks up the pace and something starts to happen. When the ending finally appears, one is not only relieved but delighted to actually see something dynamic and entertaining, despite the fact of it being scary as hell.
2) The story. Even though it stayed very much true to the novel, the story itself drags on for far too long until something worth while starts to happen. As mentioned above, the intro to the characters is far too long, leaving the viewer to simply lose interest in the movie. The end of the 3/4 of the movie, when the kids actually meet It, presents a culmination of fear effect, jump scares, light work and dark comedy. Simply put, the house confrontation is one of the best segments and an essential part of the movie. But, because of it's ties to the book, it was decided that after this magnificent scene, the movie drags on for another half an hour before the final confrontation actually takes place. And this is where the movie showed it's true downfall. It simply became boring and introduced another plot line that was completely unnecessary and just harmed the movie in total. Thankfully, the final battle and the setting, the atmosphere, the dark music and tone, and a stellar performance by Bill Skarsgård really lift the movie to spectacular heights.
3) No leading man. During the intro credits I couldn't help but notice that no big names were attached to the movie. It was a risk that usually pays of, but this time a problem occurred. A movie of this length needs a star that can pull and carry the movie all the way, or at least for a few scenes, giving it the necessary push for the kids to take over another scene. This is one of the two greatest problems - the kids were great (especially Sophia Lillis), but they lack the necessary skill set and acting abilities necessary for carrying a movie of this length and psychological difficulty.
Despite all of the above mentioned, It really is not a bad movie. The atmosphere is great - spooky and dark, the music on spot, the acting above expectations (but not as good as a movie of this type needs), the effects marvelous, and the scares heart stopping at times.
So, all in all, a good ride, but in all fairness, not worth another viewing. Simply too long, with two spectacular climaxes that in the end, do not save the overly long story and dragging progression.