It (2017)

Director: Andy Muschietti
Stars: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Martell. Finn Wolfhard
Runtime: 135 minutes

Synopsis: In the summer of 1989, a group of bullied kids band together to destroy a shape-shifting monster, which disguises itself as a clown and preys on the children of Derry, their small Maine town.

Performances: 4/5
Screenplay: 2/5
Special Effects: 4/5
Costumes/Makeup: 4/5
Editing: 3/5
Cinematography: 3/5
Score/Soundtrack: 2/5
Entertainment Factor: 3/5

Verdict:

(+) The kid performances were mostly great and I truly bought them as children. Finn Wolfhard and Sophia Lillis are easily the standouts. The chemistry between them was also top-notch.

(+) Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise is a joy to watch. Will definitely be remembered as one of horror's greatest on-screen villains with Freddy or Jason.

(+) The 1989 setting is flawlessly recreated. I loved it.

(+) The CGI and practical effects were mostly pretty convincing. And so was the makeup.

(+) The cinematography was serviceable and definitely better than in most horror movies that come out nowadays.

(+) Some of the horror scenes in the second half of the movie are legitimately scary and unsettling.

(-) The bully and adult characters were laughably badly written. I couldn't take any of them seriously for a second.

(-) A lot of the dialogue felt incredibly cheesy.

(-) The movie does have quite a bit of horror clichés ranging from cheap jump scares to scary shadows that turn out to be harmless objects.

(-) The score was pretty bland.

(-) The acting in some of the scary situations was a little underwhelming at times.

(-) Lots of conveniences. Like really, a lot of them.

(-) The integration of Mike's character was poorly handled.

(-) The ending was a little silly.
(-) The runtime. Way too long.

FINAL GRADE: 6/10