Saw "IT" yesterday (pun intended) and after all the hype and positive press, I must say...I was pretty disappointed.
First and foremost, let me say that it is worth a watch...it's well acted, competently directed, etc, and (I imagine) the strength of the original source material makes it better than many other movies out but I had issues with it. Namely...
1. It wasn't scary. Few movies actually scare me though...Outside of The Shining or The Others, nothing really seems to make me spooked. The "gross" or "horrific" moments (for me) generally become a mental exercise in make-up vs CGI and the practical solution of how things were done.
2. Everything was HEAVILY telegraphed. "Oh maybe something bad is going to happen here...this kid separated himself for the 10th time from his friends and the music is all ominous-y" Seriously, there was no patience written into the script...the movie felt like it was running from one "scare" scene to the next. Nothing was a surprise.
3. 2-Dimensional Characters. Perhaps its a side effect of the break-neck pace of the story, but everyone is kinda reduced to stereotypes. The bully, the nerd, the brains, etc. It should also be noted that EVERY adult that makes an appearance, is just the worst. All of them. This kind of simplicity I suppose was done to the service of the "mood" but all it did for me was make everything feel less realistic than it already did. I did like Beverly though...She was probably the only exception.
4. WAY too much Pennywise. This guy, I think, had more screen time than the main character and after that much exposure, he completely lost his effectiveness. Worst of all (and perhaps I missed this in the movie), I have NO idea what his motivation was. I understand the whole "every 27 years" bit and all, but why? Why Pennywise? Why does he feed on fear? Why is he afraid of those that aren't afraid of him? Perhaps this isn't supposed to be answered until the next installment???
5. Typical Hollywood Ending. Let's all go down the well and kick ass in a huge studio set...uh, I mean, sewer! While we are down there, lets watch the kids separate themselves again to have another "scary moment" before the big finale. The bully (well acted asshole) dies in the most anti-climatic way. Pennywise similarly gets the boot but at least they got their end with a kickass background of floating bodies and a really neat set...I mean stage...never mind.
6. Poor Styling. I've already mentioned the pacing and the telegraphing and that is all part of the style in which the movie was shot. The film felt like it borrowed every modern horror-movie cliche...how many times have we seen a baddie stand still in the distance only to RUN to the camera for a scare? How many times did Pennywise do that? Lost count...Again, no patience and very little sense of dread even with the CONSTANT musical score reminding us that we are supposed to be spooked. The movie was directed safely...no chances were taken in terms of direction, score, or characters.
Having said all that, I do look forward to the conclusion...The main kids were very watchable and strangely familiar even though I've never seen any of them except "Mike" from Stranger Things. I suppose the conclusion won't include them which is a shame but I am at least intrigued with the general story to watch the next but (I must admit) I'm not on pins or needles waiting for it.
I want to see it a second time but they all either think it's going to be too scary, too much fantasy/absurd, too this, too that. It was the same with Fury Road back then for kinda similar reasons, haha.