Review IT - Chilling reboot that won't do anything for a good night's sleep!

Of all the Hollywood reboots and remakes hitting our screens in recent times, the idea of a modernised version of the mini-series IT based on the Stephen King novel was one that might actually work and benefit from the advances in cinema technology and a brand new target audience.

After all, the concept of a good old fashioned scarefest with plenty of loud screams, heart skipping jumps and watching most of the film through your fingers is a timeless one and if done properly can be very effective.

The challenge for director Andy Muschietti was not only to arm this remake with all those bone chilling qualities but to also capture the heart, nostalgia and innocence that made the novel and initial mini series such a success.
The good news for all fans of the original series,novel and horror movie fans in general, is that Muschietti succeeded admirably on all counts.

The film is based in the town of Derry, Maine at a time when children begin to disappear. A group of young kids are faced with their biggest fears when they must face up to an evil clown named Pennywise, whose history of murder and violence dates back for centuries.

From the opening scene, the audience are advised not to get too comfy in their cinema seats as the director quite graphically shows us the horror and fear that we will only become too familiar with over the remaining two hours plus in the shape of Pennywise the clown (played by Bill Skarsgard).

Muschietti, does a particularly good job in recreating that 1980’s old town USA aura aided  spectacularly by Chung-hoon Chung’s cinematography but more importantly by a young cast that are simply outstanding and it’s their humour, friendship and charm that grab the viewers attention as much as the multiple fights throughout.
For fans of the horror genre however, it is the numerous frights and moments of unease that deliver time and time again and the audible gasps, shrieks and yelps form the audience are a strong indicator that the film is doing it’s job brilliantly.

Overall, not one for the faint of heart but if a good scare, chewed fingernails and sleepless nights are your thing you could do a lot worse then IT.

✬✬✬1/2