Not sure why but didn't enjoy it at all after the first 15 mins

Rating: 2/10 (9 September 2017)

I just don't know. This was a well directed film with lots of great special effects, and it stuck to the story and characterisation pretty closely BUT I found myself getting restless and losing focus. I was not the only one as people seemed to be walking in and out of the cinema all the way through. It certainly didn't hold our attention to the point we were riveted to our seats. I don't know why though. There were moments it felt laughable, and overall it just felt like a kid's movie. It would've been more helpful if I'd realised it was only part 1. I was looking forward to seeing them return as adults in the second part, because that's what brings it all together. For me Stephen King's strength particularly in this book is characterisation. Although this was a horror story, the real focus was the power of friendship and how it triumphs over evil. There was some reference to this in the movie, but the adult part would've really brought that to life. I will see part 2, but I left part 1 feeling disappointed that it felt more like an action film for kids rather than a depiction of the real story beneath the horror and a reminder of the power inherent in that.