What Is It? Creepy, Fun

Andy Muschietti’s “It,” based on Stephen King’s novel, is about a creepy clown of the supernatural variety that preys on children in late 1980s Maine. A group of plucky kids, who already take enough crap, band together to face the evil menace.

What a pleasure it is to squirm in a movie theater for the right reasons. “It” is the world record holder for “Don’t go into the cellar” moments.

In addition to the cellar, other places that are inadvisable to explore are: storm drains, library basements, abandoned houses, the bathroom sink and an old well.

The courageous kids are played by a talented group of young actors, especially Sophia Lillis as the extra-plucky Beverly Marsh.

Every adult character is either actively creepy or clueless.

The film doesn’t waste any time introducing the evil Pennywise the clown, played by Bill Skarsgård. Five minutes in, we’re already looking at a severed limb, a missing child and the promise of more to come.

Alas, there is an overabundance of plot which gets in the way of the story. One subplot threatens to overwhelm things, until the offending character is disposed.

Muschietti doesn’t deploy the CGI team in earnest until the last 15 minutes or so. Most of the tension is achieved honestly — by having awful things pop out suddenly.

Summary: Severed limb. Psycho teenage bully, with auxiliary stupid bullies. Three of the worst parents in cinema history. Creepy pharmacist. Possessed Kodak Carousel slide projector. Detailed examination of creepy clown dentistry. Zombie tongue. Crumbling house. Rock fight. Quarry jumping. New Kids on the Block, which is truly horrifying. Floating clown victims. Convincing explanation on why it’s not a good idea to get hair in the drain. 

It’s too long and it meanders, but “It” is a lot of fun. 

Hat tip to The Moviehouse in Millerton for getting into the spirit of the thing, with relevant movie props and a staffer in creepy clown makeup saying goodnight on the way out.

“It” is rated R for violence/horror, bloody images, and for language.