Last year’s adaptation of Stephen King’s classic 1986 massive horror novel IT proved to be a huge draw for horror fans. The film grossed $700 million worldwide, the biggest horror movie of all time. And the great thing is, IT is absolutely outstanding as both a film with frights and a coming of age tale.
IT was released on 4K Blu-ray this past Tuesday, and absolutely plays as well at home as it did in theatres. The Losers Club of young actors who are forced to face off against the demonic Pennywise the Clown all deliver performances that only get better after repeat viewings. Meanwhile, Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise remains a captivating villain, and the actor manages to make the character his own. Definitely no easy feat, considering how iconic Tim Curry’s take on the character was in the 1990 mini-series. Skarsgård’s Pennywise is far less drunken clown in floppy shoes and more mischievous and cunning, with a hint of childlike behavior as well. While the actor isn’t in any Oscar talk, it is a bravaro perhaps that definitely deserves a lot of credit.
They home release of IT features some outstanding bonus features, including deleted and extended scenes, along with insightful interviews with Skarsgård, director Andy Muschietti and his producer/sister Barbara, and the kids of the Losers Club. Skarsgård gives insight into the physicality of his performance, and is sure to credit the Toronto crew who did an outstanding job on turning him to Pennywise.
It is especially endearing throughout the extras to hear the kids speak about the bond they formed while filming took place over the summer of 2015. The closeness they established with one another is apparent on screen, and it’s pretty clear that there’s more than acting going on between the group.
Overall, IT absolutely holds up over repeat viewing. While the impact of the multiple jump scares may lesson over time, the fact is that the film is more than simple scares, and that’s what makes it rewatchable, as we wait out the arrival of IT: Chapter Two in 2019.
