Adapted from the 1986 door-stop of a book, this two part television movie - released as one three-hour movie on DVD - is both a nostalgic view on childhood and a rip-roaring adventure. Think The Goonies meets Stand by Me.
The two part structure follows the exploits of seven children who, after forming a close and loyal bond, are haunted by a demon in the guise of Pennywise the Clown (Tim Curry). After confronting and defeating the demon, the children agree to destroy it should it ever make its presence known again. Being ninety minutes through a three hour running time, there are no prizes for guessing that it does. Thirty years later – after most of the group has left town – IT starts its murderous rampage once more, forcing the once-close friends to reunite and do battle with the demon for a second time.
TV movie or cinematic?
Out of the two distinct parts, the first is more satisfying; building chemistry between the group members and developing the characters and their growing friendships. These early scenes show a longing for the joy of childhood and while the direction and performances may be earnest, there’s an emotional resonance that elevates this above TV movie status.
It’s also one of the more successful portrayals of King’s deft hand at characterisation. Raising himself above a purveyor of schlock horror, the author is at his best when filling his books with detailed and complex characters. Adaptations of Carrie, The Shining, The Mist etc., while good in their own right, fall short in capturing that fine detail and while this could be down to the filmmakers' shortcomings - or in the case of The Shining a lack of interest in the novel - cinema rarely has the time to do King’s characters the justice they fully deserve
IT's a sublime adaptation... for the most part.
IT gets this spot on. With three hours to play with and the luxury of television, co-writer/director Tommy Lee Wallace is allowed more freedom to get underneath the protagonists' skins. A two hour movie would be rushing through the backstory but Wallace is careful not to simplify or short-change King’s characters, giving each one their own fears, flaws and complexities.
So successful is this, the film falls apart when it has the unfortunate business of getting on with the plot. This isn’t about killing a demon but the conflicting pain and joy of growing up. The theme trails off when reaching adulthood and what’s left is a slight and simple story about killing a demon with nowhere to go but a dank sewer system and a confrontation with a (admittedly cool looking) stop motion spider. Pity.
Verdict
If not exactly bad, the second half fails to live up to the promise shown in the first. There’s enough brilliance here to keep King, and cinema, fans happy but less focus on the grown-ups and more ruthlessness with the source material would have made this something truly remarkable. Remake anyone?
David Bishop - My main interest is film and television. I studied the subject of film at college for two years and did a degree in Film and Television at ...
