I know this blog is normally a place where I talk about Jesus stuff, but I just need to share this everywhere. So read on, constant reader...
Kim and I (and some friends) watched "IT" last night. Wow. I see what all the fuss is about.
I've been a King fan since about as early as it was possible (got my first copy of Night Shift somewhere around 1977 - I was, like, 14 - which explains a lot about me), and, while there have been some near misses (Stand By Me, Green Mile, Dead Zone, Shawshank Redemption, Misery *), most movie adaptations have fallen far short of capturing the King reading experience.
"IT" nails it on all fronts.
Never before has any King film adaptation so faithfully captured his signature juxtaposition of the fantastical and the commonplace. The book has always stood out as a prime example of King's deft misdirection, waving us toward magical evil in order to distract us from the nastiness right under our noses. This film version captures this perfectly.
Also, they nailed the dialog. Most movies either completely re-write King's dialog, which is notoriously ill-suited to film, and consequently lose all of its characteristic charm. "IT" somehow found the perfect balance between King's unique voice and, uhm, the way people REALLY talk (sorry, Steve).
And, the one thing that this film did that none of the others have really pulled off is the way King draws catharsis from a crazy mixture of the dreadful and the hilarious. There were moments in this movie when I was laughing and gasping within three seconds of each other.
And, finally, the production, casting, acting, soundtrack, effects, cinematography, everything, were exceptional.
Put it all together, and you have one of the most fun, funny, sad, shocking, charming, chilling, thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining filmgoing experiences of this year (or any year, for that matter). Go see it before it leaves the cineplex.
CAUTION:
"IT" is definitely rated R for a reason. It is sometimes graphic, and often terrifying. So if that sort of thing turns you off, ignore my earlier recommendation, and DON'T go see it. - Ed
* I know some readers will be surprised that I left "The Shining" out of this list, but, whatever you think about "The Shining" it is NOT a faithful King adaptation. I will fight you if you say otherwise.
CAUTION:
"IT" is definitely rated R for a reason. It is sometimes graphic, and often terrifying. So if that sort of thing turns you off, ignore my earlier recommendation, and DON'T go see it. - Ed
* I know some readers will be surprised that I left "The Shining" out of this list, but, whatever you think about "The Shining" it is NOT a faithful King adaptation. I will fight you if you say otherwise.
