Steer clear of the gutters! The recent release of the remake “It” leaves the audience at the edge of their seats with its epic portrayal of what lies beneath the surface of the city streets.

By Skylar Jones

Staff Writer

Steer clear of the gutters! The recent release of the remake “It” leaves the audience at the edge of their seats with its epic portrayal of what lies beneath the surface of the city streets.

“It” features a suspenseful story along with the struggle of a young group of teens in the late 80s. The cast and set design, along with the complexity of the plot, makes the movie extremely realistic and contributes to the intensity of the movie. The storyline is captivating, however, the ending leaves viewers unsatisfied due to its lack of conclusion.

This remake of “It” is based off the original best-selling novel “It” by Stephen King. The movie was directed by Andrés Muschietti and produced by Seth Grahame-Smith and Barbara Muschietti.

The film stars Jaeden Lieberher as Bill Denbrough, Sophia Lillis as Beverly Marsh, and Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the clown, also referred to as “It.” The film centers around the protagonist, Bill Denbrough, as he searches for his missing brother with the help of his five friends.

“It” is among one of the most well-known Stephen King stories. One of the many great features of this film is its compelling storyline. Aside from the intimidating clown, there is an entertaining story about the terrifying adventure of a group of teens.

The set designers successfully depict life for adolescents during the late 80s. The backdrop portrays a “vintage” feel, since there were no mobile phones or internet.  The kids had little parental supervision and got around by riding their bikes. The authenticity captures the 80s nostalgia that is popular in other successful mediums today such as Netflix’s “Stranger Things”.

“It” is an entertaining movie with intense imagery and several nail-biting scenes that prey upon the character’s deepest fears. As a result, the audience is always at the edge of their seats wondering “what’s next?”

The movie is extremely realistic due to the advanced special effects, which makes the scenes with the clown even more frightening. The effects enhance the terror Pennywise is able to inflict upon the teens. For instance, Pennywise’s speed is increased, objects are able to float in mid-air, and the clown’s jaw unfolds, displaying several rows of razor sharp teeth.

One of the best aspects of the film is the casting, since each character has their own unique personality and equally contributes to the plot. The characters also do an exceptional job of lightening the mood and incorporating humor during intense scenes.

In spite of the film being extremely well-done, the ending feels unfinished. The resolution is unclear and gives no closure to the audience. However, the ending sets up the story for another film.

“It” is a spine-chilling movie that satisfies all of the characteristics of a successful film. The casting feels credible, and the set design blends in seamlessly to enhance the 80s vibe. The movie contains a compelling storyline as well as adrenaline-inducing action scenes. If you are a fan of horror films, then “It” is a must-see.

“It” was released September 8, 2017, is rated R, and is currently playing in all movie theaters throughout the nation.