Stephen King's IT Returns

Stephen King's IT makes a return tomorrow in its first theatrical release. I haven't seen the film yet (obviously), but I do remember the 1990 miniseries quite well. If you didn't know, IT is about a monster that attacks and feeds on people (usually children) every 27 years before going back into hibernation. The original book was released in 1986 and was King's 18th novel written under his own name.

I have my doubts that Bill Skargard can do better as Pennywise than Tim Curry in the 1990 miniseries. Curry totally nailed it. But I am sure Skarguard does a wonderful job. King himself gives the new film high praise, even going to see it twice.

From all I have read, the new movie is very close to the original book. Well as close as you can get considering the book is over 1,000 pages. You can't fit all of that into a two hour movie. Or even a four hour one. Some aspects I was glad to see removed from the miniseries, others felt like a hole. But as I said, you simply can't fit such a large story in a short medium without making large changes. In general though, I think the 1990 miniseries was well done. I did find the very ending lacking, and apparently Tim Curry thought the same thing.

One thing is certain though, they left a lot out of the 2017 film, especially considering that it is only part one with a sequel now in the planning stages. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth as more and more films these days are going the continued route. But on the other hand, the story is so large in this case, I really can't see one doing it justice without splitting it onto two separate films.

It is interesting the World Clown Association is upset with King because they say he is killing their business with drops in bookings around schools for example. But the thing is, the book was written in 1986. It is not a new release, the movie being released tomorrow might be, but it is not a new idea or concept. If their bookings have been dropping for a while, I don't see how they can blame this story when the movie hasn't even been released yet. But like most issues, people like to point the blame towards anything that can bring them a few minutes of air time.

Whither you are a King fan or not, I am sure most people will get a thrill out this film by all accounts. I know I am looking forward to seeing it. If nothing else than to see what was done different this time around. Which, I suspect, is what the studio is banking on.