Perfectly blended comedy-horror

Rating: 8/10 (17 October 2017)

'IT' did not disappoint, a masterfully shot, well balanced comedy- horror flick set in the oft-frequented old school US suburbia; a classical setting that is revisited here in the best way that I can recall in a long time.
What makes 'IT' good is its outstanding ability to capture the character of childhood fantasies and daydreaming in such a neat package in a way not often mastered like this.
The full-bodied, organic, life-like scripts and setting matched with fluent actors that fully embodied their roles added to this theme wonderfully.
I can compare the innocence of the kids and the daydreaming theme to the now decade-old 'Bridge to Terabithia' (2007) which followed a similar narrative that explores imagination taking hold and making sense of the world around you as a kid.
'IT' isn't all flowers and rainbows though. The film was not scared to explore darker topics, things that are very real, while paralleling this with what the kids saw imaginatively, how fears manifest - in many ways 'IT' is a parody low-key psychological horror.
The film sort of explores why we are afraid of outwardly innocent things like spiders and clowns, it asks the question, "why do we have these irrational fears?" Through this, it has an empowering message: stand up to those who hurt you, don't let an irrational, self- imposed fear dictate what you are and what you can be. Fear takes on many forms.
I don't think 'IT' is supposed to be classically frightening, but rather the film is a parodying insight into 'fear' itself, aka what (fear) 'IT' really is and how to try and define it - and also what it means to both the characters and the audience. The unusually large leading cast sort of reflects people from all walks of life. The fact they're kids simply shows how we are all children behind it all. Old fears start young and never die.
Overall, a film with a big heart and an even bigger message.
8/10