Melissa Seaborne

Being a fan of a novel means that you’re always going to set yourself up for disappointment when the film adaption makes an appearance. However, on this occasion I believe that the director (Andy Muschietti) did an incredible job bringing this masterpiece to screen. It’s always going to be difficult to stick entirely to the book, given how large the book is and the intricate details within it. Considering how long it took for a director to even touch on the thought of recreating what Stephen King put onto paper, I believe it was very brave of Muschietti to take on this project. Whilst I’m a fan of both halves the film. It goes without saying that there are a few vital moments missing throughout. For one thing I’m so glad that Mike took on more of a leading role in the second half, however much like some other scenes, his backstory was rushed. It would’ve been nice to see how he had gotten the information out of the Derry community piece by piece to really build up that fear and knowledge, not only for him, but for the members of the audience that haven’t had the chance to read the novel. Not only this but like most others I feel as if the six phone calls to ‘The Losers Club’ was very sloppily done. In the novel it takes up 6 whole chapters, you really get to know the characters and where they’re at in their life and how this one phone call brings it all flooding back, the terror that happend 27 years ago. The sheer dread of having to face their childhood nightmare once more, knowing that going back to Derry is inevitable. Without a doubt not having those scenes is heartbreaking, especially for someone who has loved the novel since a very young age. But I can’t deny that the film did make me feel like I did when I had read the novel. Muschietti genuinely did a marvellous job at making you feel like you knew these characters. Like you were living their childhood through them. I enjoyed the humour, it was perfectly placed. I laughed, I cried, I jumped. The way it ended was beautiful, having the ‘be true, be brave, stand.’ Quote really meant a lot, it was like a nod to us Stephen King fans which I appreciated. Of course this is my own opinion, and I guess you will just have to go to see it to make up your mind if it’s worth it or not. All I know is I love it and I’m already planning to see it again.