Whenever the announcement of a classic horror movie remake is made, there is an audible gasp happening in comment sections across the Internet as fans of the original movie collectively clutch their pearls. On the one hand, reservations about remakes are often justified. As horror fans, we’ve seen studio after studio try to make profits by remaking original horror ideas with lackluster effort.
These films insult the original piece, as they’ve skirted through the original’s blood, sweat, and tears to give us a film that feels manufactured.
On the other hand, lives a difficult truth. Remakes modernize horror movies, making them much more palatable to younger audiences. There’s something inside of the grain of old horror movies that causes an immediate disconnect to today’s viewers. So, the truth is, if we love these icons and genuinely wish to keep them alive, we must love the reignitions of their spirit. I often have to remind myself of this when it comes to the Andy Muschietti It movies.
Is the It Remake a Good Movie?
Of all the horror movie remakes to be announced, none caused the visceral reaction so much as the one brought about by the remake of Stephen King’s It. Even my sweet love A Nightmare on Elm Street didn’t have the Internet in as entirely of an uproar when its remake was released.
The film’s announcement went into immediate competition with the It made-for-TV miniseries released in 1990. The film is a beloved viewing staple, with It being the first horror movie many ever saw – not to mention that it is one of Stephen King’s most iconic, chunky stories.
Andy Muschietti had extraordinarily large, clown-sized shoes to fill when approaching this Stephen King adaptation. It’s worth noting that he also had the added difficulty of dealing with the World Clown Association, as they’ve been working diligently to de-monsterize clowns in the mainstream. These films, coupled with the 2016 clown sightings, have given them rugged terrain to tread. And I’m sure John Wayne Gacy’s entire existence created an uphill battle from the start, but I digress.
I tend to have mixed feelings about the It movies. So, it’s time to lay it out: the good, the bad, and the ugly, and see where the movie truly lies in my horror fan heart. Are the It movies good?
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise
Pennywise is the most easily recognizable thing about It movies, remake or not, so his presentation is essential. Tim Curry is a god amongst men, and finding someone who could deliver us Pennywise anew could not have been easy. Yet, Andy Muschietti achieved the impossible. If you were ever going to find someone to follow Tim Curry to play Pennywise, Bill Skarsgard was it. He is one of the best things about this movie, as he delivered the role masterfully. He’s changed who I picture when someone says “Pennywise,” and for that, he receives all the kudos he is due. If only the CGI had been able to follow suit.
The CGI in the It Movies
The CGI in the It: Chapter movies left a lot to be desired – the scene with the CGI old woman being the largest offender. Her cartoonish face immediately saps all the magic from that moment. Someone alert the toons of Toon Town, as it appears Judge Doom is back with his vat of Dip.
Instead of this grotesque CGI, the better choice would have been to use some old-fashioned practical effects. The choice not to go the more complicated route exemplifies the sin of skirting blood, sweat, and tears that I referenced earlier. It’s understandable in many circumstances, as special effects makeup is hell on the performers, but it’s still getting you docked several points in this case.
I could go on, but I have bigger fish to fry here.
How Pennywise Was Defeated in It: Chapter Two
So far, we’ve talked about the good and the ugly. Now it’s time for the bad. I can think of no other word to describe the ending we received in It: Chapter Two.
Look, I’m a big Nightmare on Elm Street fan. I am no stranger to the cheesy concept of “removing your fear removes its power of you” as being the way to defeat the seemingly invulnerable bad guy. (Although that didn’t *technically* beat Freddy in NOES, I’m reverting my ADHD brain back to the point.)
Of all the ways to defeat Pennywise, having the adults essentially stand in a circle, taking turns in telling Pennywise he’s a loser, causing him to morph into a blubbering mess, was at the bottom of my list.
In the book, the adult Losers defeat Pennywise by crushing his heart inside his body. In It: Chapter Two, they defeat Pennywise by crushing his proverbial heart, and I cannot pretend this is okay.
The Consensus
I want to dislike the Andy Muschietti It movies. I truly do. The CGI and the ending always at once suck the magic out of the horror for me, and each time I’m disappointed when they pop up. However, Bill Skarsgard’s performance as Pennywise makes me inclined to look the other way at the negativity. Don’t get me wrong, we got terrific performances from everyone involved. However, the star of the show is, has been, and always will be Pennywise, and the fact that he was represented so excellently is a huge tip in the film’s favor. After all, one of the most beautiful things we received from the remake of the It movies is the lasting impact Pennywise gets to make now. Whole new generations are growing up terrified of sewers and red balloons; that would not be so if it weren’t for these movies and the performances being so expertly done. All in all, the It movies helped mold a new generation of horror fans, and it will always hold a special place in my heart for that.
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