"It" is more than a horror movie - it's a great film

Rating: 9/10 (13 September 2017)

Note to the film makers out there who consider themselves horror aficionados... When you create a horror movie, start with the intent to make a great film.
"It" has a built-in cult following as many Stephen King adaptations do, but this film stands alone as the best Stephen King adaptation outside of "Shawshank". Why? The filmmakers do justice to several crucial elements to any good film:
1. They focused on a true-to-life script that felt real for both the setting, the characters, and the villain.
2. The acting, especially by the child actors who are the lifeblood of the film, was phenomenal.
2A. Let me single out Bill Skarsgard here, playing Pennywise is no small task, it takes a wide range of emotions that play out each time we encounter It - on several occasions we see Pennywise elicit several emotions in a matter of seconds - he brings an unpredictability and sporadic physicality to the role that works INCREDIBLY well and really keeps you on your toes. You're engaged whenever he's on screen. Kudos to his voice and terrific evil clown laugh, there's so much to love about his performance which I feel may be understated - the makeup is so scary that it may get lost just how much Skarsgard is bringing it in every scene.
3. The villain was the stylish, creepy, Pennywise - obviously the film needed this character to be near flawless to create a sense of impending doom at any moment... Success, Pennywise, even for those not afraid of clowns, puts most inter-dimensional pseudo-demonic villains to shame.
The film works so well because character development was handled very carefully, we learn about each of our young protagonists along the way, and what we learn about them is continuously exposed by Pennywise in order to weaken their will.
Without spoiling anything, this is a film about children being tormented by a demonic-clown, the very thought of children in danger can be unsettling, but "It" takes it to the next level - within the first 10 minutes of the film you will understand what you're in for, and you'll know right away that NO ONE, regardless of age or how you might feel about violence toward children, is safe.
The other great thing about this film was cinematography coupled with special effects... honestly, and I did not expect this going in - but "It" is a visual spectacle - the set design, the scenery, the color-scheme, it's all beautifully (and sometimes terrifyingly) done.
I could go on and on, this was a top notch horror film, plenty of jumps (if you're prone to that sort of thing), lots of spine tingling moments, and truly, nothing cheap - this film doesn't hold back. Beyond being a great horror film, it's a terrific coming of age tale, well written, well acted, well directed. I wouldn't be shocked if the film gets some surprise nods during awards season for cinematography, editing, sound, makeup and special effects, just my two cents.
In summation: "It" is a dazzlingly terrifying spectacle that will stun you with every punch it doesn't pull. It goes beyond being one of the best horror movies of the past few decades, "It" is simply a tremendous film.
Horror movies - take note, THIS is how it's done.