Just saw IT! SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

[mal]

It's a sad, sad day for Humanity when someone is disappointed at the lack of a BJ from a leper.

Hah!

 

[mal]

I don't know why I assumed that was just common knowledge. Clearly, I run in a different sort of circle than normal humans. I'm so sorry you had to google that!

I've been feigning ignorance for years! It's how I stir the pot.

 

[GNTLGNT]

I've been feigning ignorance for years! It's how I stir the pot.

 

[jt0565]

Saw It last night and can only say wow! Amazing, amazing adaptation.

I think the hack that butchered the Dark Tower should be forced to read It and then watch this film before he is EVER allowed behind a camera again.

 

[kingricefan]

Overall, I was happy. Penny Wise was amazing and may have been better than the original, which I didn't think could happen. I'm still not sure why they changed it from 1957 to 1988. Also, the beginning felt a little rushed, jumping from Penny Wise scaring each member of the Loser Club with no real continuity. While I know lots of people loved Tozier in the film, he kinda of felt out of place to me. I know he is the goofball and all, but middle schoolers didn't act and talk like he did back then. And as a few others have said, the bullies should have gotten more time and background. However, I still thought the movie was good and am only being a little nitpicky since I read the novel. And everyone I know who hasn't ready the book has loved the movie. My main question is if Henry is really dead since we all know how he plays out in the novel.

My take on Henry is that Pennywise finds him in the sewers. He definitely plays a big part in the adult part in the novel so he can't be dead. Besides, we never did hear him SPLAT if he hit the bottom of the shaft.....

 

[recitador]

I'm still not sure why they changed it from 1957 to 1988. .

partly for the nostalgia factor of a wider audience. a lot of folks who grew up on the mini series, which, while kind of blah as an adaptation, did generate a lot of buzz for It, will relate more to this time period. also having the next film be set in modern times means they only have to emulate one past time period instead of two. let's face it, a lot of people love the 80's.

 

[Rockym]

Well, I just got back from seeing the movie and I too enjoyed it and thought it was good. However, I don't agree it was a good adaptation though. It was much better than the 90s miniseries.

Some of things I didn't like were

Spoiler

making the kids 13 instead of 11. I just thought it took away from the story because they are more innocent in the 5th grade than when they are in middle school. I also didn't like changing the whole Hanlon farm to a sheep slaughterhouse and not even having Will there. Also, giving Bev a reputation of being a slut, taking Richie's "voices" away and making Trashmouth mean he had a foulmouth. And making Ben the Derry historian of the group instead of Mike. Ben is supposed to be the engineer, which brings up other important things left out, which is the dam and the clubhouse. The importance of the Barrens itself was also diminished greatly. Does this mean in the sequel, that it will be Ben that stays in Derry and calls everyone back instead of Mike? And what is the obsession of these adaptations at changing Ben to be a new kid in town and school? And Mike's role seemed very diminished from the book, it was really hard to see how he fit in with the rest of the group. And I think they should have had Henry use the n-word. It would have shown how much hate he has for Mike (like it was in the book, he hated Mike the most). But that's another change I didn't like, Butch is a cop now (really? wtf is that even about?), so there was nothing of the Bowers-Hanlon feud at all.

Also, the movie tried to hard to be shocking and scary. Cramming so many "jump out" scenes with Pennywise and all those teeth. And making Bev's dad so creepy and insinuating he molests her, when he wasn't that way in the book at all. I also didn't like Bev being turned into a "damsel in distress", though it did give us a nice Ben and Bev moment (I love that couple, the hell with Bill, lol).

Again, overall I did like it and thought it was a good movie. It's kinda like how The Shining was a really good movie, even thought it was a really terrible adaptation of the book. I'm just not a fan of making too many changes when adapting a book or story I particularly love, and It is one of my all time favorite books of all time along with The Stand.

 

[Mel217]

Interesting takes.

 

[Steffen]

Interesting takes.

The Hipsters' Review.

If anything, I think their review makes a solid argument for this book being translated to a TV series in another 27 years. But their complaint about the book containing too many stories to follow just makes me think that they are part of the stereotypical modern audience that can't follow any kind of story unless it's told in a simplistic linear fashion accompanied by one of those ludicrous End-of-the-movie-explained videos on YouTube.

 

[Mel217]

The Hipsters' Review.

If anything, I think their review makes a solid argument for this book being translated to a TV series in another 27 years. But their complaint about the book containing too many stories to follow just makes me think that they are part of the stereotypical modern audience that can't follow any kind of story unless it's told in a simplistic linear fashion accompanied by one of those ludicrous End-of-the-movie-explained videos on YouTube.

I really like Doug and Rob and can understand where they're coming from. While I find the novel pretty fascinating, I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea; there are great literary works I wanted to pull a shotgun on (didn't we have a thread about that? )
But even so I'm anxious for the NC review. Even if he hates something, the reviews are usually pretty entertaining.
I still re-watch his miniseries It review and I think, as much as he loathes the mini series Shining, he was fair enough to point out that the miniseries followed the book very closely compared to Kubrick's version.

 

[Mr. Chips]

Just got back from seeing IT. Absolutely awesome! Now the long wait for part 2

 

[Woland]

I just saw the movie and here are my thoughts. And let me state that I thought all the performances were great and I did enjoy the movie. So I hope I don't sound too critical. Why did they turn Bev into a damsel in distress, which she never was in the books? I get that in the movie they had to bring the Losers back together. Which leads me to my next question, why have the Losers break apart. There was enough material to play with in the book without injecting more drama into the plot. If they had to have a character kidnapped by Pennywise why not one of the boys, like Stan, which would explain his decisions as an adult, or Eddie. Also, did Mike seem to have less dialogue than the other kids? And why make Ben the group historian and take that role from Mike? Given Ben's dialogue that he wants to get out of this town will he be taking over Mike's role as the librarian and the one who stays behind in Derry because as it stands that would make the most sense. What was the purpose of making Henry's dad a cop and not doing anything with it, either have him covering for his son's delinquency or show him being a racist and that was where Henry learned it from. Because he has three scenes and he doesn't talk in two of them. I would've liked to see more scenes with him, just one or two to get a better understanding of the character. And did some parts of this movie feel rushed to anyone? Admittedly this could come from being familiar with the book. I guess some things ended up on the cutting room floor.

 

[Mel217]

Well, I just got back from seeing the movie and I too enjoyed it and thought it was good. However, I don't agree it was a good adaptation though. It was much better than the 90s miniseries.

Some of things I didn't like were

Spoiler

making the kids 13 instead of 11. I just thought it took away from the story because they are more innocent in the 5th grade than when they are in middle school. I also didn't like changing the whole Hanlon farm to a sheep slaughterhouse and not even having Will there. Also, giving Bev a reputation of being a slut, taking Richie's "voices" away and making Trashmouth mean he had a foulmouth. And making Ben the Derry historian of the group instead of Mike. Ben is supposed to be the engineer, which brings up other important things left out, which is the dam and the clubhouse. The importance of the Barrens itself was also diminished greatly. Does this mean in the sequel, that it will be Ben that stays in Derry and calls everyone back instead of Mike? And what is the obsession of these adaptations at changing Ben to be a new kid in town and school? And Mike's role seemed very diminished from the book, it was really hard to see how he fit in with the rest of the group. And I think they should have had Henry use the n-word. It would have shown how much hate he has for Mike (like it was in the book, he hated Mike the most). But that's another change I didn't like, Butch is a cop now (really? wtf is that even about?), so there was nothing of the Bowers-Hanlon feud at all.

Also, the movie tried to hard to be shocking and scary. Cramming so many "jump out" scenes with Pennywise and all those teeth. And making Bev's dad so creepy and insinuating he molests her, when he wasn't that way in the book at all. I also didn't like Bev being turned into a "damsel in distress", though it did give us a nice Ben and Bev moment (I love that couple, the hell with Bill, lol).

Again, overall I did like it and thought it was a good movie. It's kinda like how The Shining was a really good movie, even thought it was a really terrible adaptation of the book. I'm just not a fan of making too many changes when adapting a book or story I particularly love, and It is one of my all time favorite books of all time along with The Stand.

In the book I was the biggest Ben and Bev shipper ever. I thought they were just so cute together as kids, even in the mini series when the rock hits Bev and Ben dives after Henry, booting him squarely in the butt when he's down. I liked all the kids in the Loser's Club (book) but I just remember thinking Ben seemed like such a nice, sweet, kind and smart kid.

 

[Mel217]

Also Woland, I haven't seen you around before so welcome

 

[Rockym]

In the book I was the biggest Ben and Bev shipper ever. I thought they were just so cute together as kids, even in the mini series when the rock hits Bev and Ben dives after Henry, booting him squarely in the butt when he's down. I liked all the kids in the Loser's Club (book) but I just remember thinking Ben seemed like such a nice, sweet, kind and smart kid.

Oh me too! Ben has no fear when someone messes with Bev. He goes after Henry several times for that. I thought that was so awesome. I always felt Ben and Bev had a special connection even before the losers came together. They were the only losers in Mrs. Douglas' 5th grade class so they knew each other before. Bill, Eddie and Richie were in the "other 5th grade" class and Mike and Stan went to different schools. Then the way she talked to him on the last day of school, she didn't have to do that. And when her and Richie met Ben outside the movies, there was a point where Ben and Bev looked at each other and Richie was a little jealous because he sensed a connection between them.

And there's many more Ben and Bev moments throughout the book that are just so sweet and great. I always felt that underneath the main story of It, there was also Ben and Bev's love story because

Spoiler

they do end up together at the end

. They'll always be one of my most favorite fictional couples ever.

 

[Mel217]

Oh me too! Ben has no fear when someone messes with Bev. He goes after Henry several times for that. I thought that was so awesome. I always felt Ben and Bev had a special connection even before the losers came together. They were the only losers in Mrs. Douglas' 5th grade class so they knew each other before. Bill, Eddie and Richie were in the "other 5th grade" class and Mike and Stan went to different schools. Then the way she talked to him on the last day of school, she didn't have to do that. And when her and Richie met Ben outside the movies, there was a point where Ben and Bev looked at each other and Richie was a little jealous because he sensed a connection between them.

And there's many more Ben and Bev moments throughout the book that are just so sweet and great. I always felt that underneath the main story of It, there was also Ben and Bev's love story because

Spoiler

they do end up together at the end

. They'll always be one of my most favorite fictional couples ever.

Normally pre-teen angst does nothing for me but the little hints of jealousy were a good addition, IMO, as you say Richie gets a little jealous of Bev and Ben, and a few times Ben feels a little jealously (or more like sadness) when he sees Bill and Bev together, etc.
About the movie...it's interesting that it came out yesterday and has already sort of developed a cult status. That's kind of cool for a movie that's brand new (just aside from people calling each other nasty childish names for not agreeing on all accounts.)

 

[Rockym]

Normally pre-teen angst does nothing for me but the little hints of jealousy were a good addition, IMO, as you say Richie gets a little jealous of Bev and Ben, and a few times Ben feels a little jealously (or more like sadness) when he sees Bill and Bev together, etc.
About the movie...it's interesting that it came out yesterday and has already sort of developed a cult status. That's kind of cool for a movie that's brand new (just aside from people calling each other nasty childish names for not agreeing on all accounts.)

Well, as I said before it was a good movie. But I really thought there were too many changes for it to be a good adaptation. Mike was a fantastic character in the book, but the movie flattened him out so much that I honestly couldn't figure what his role was. I can't imagine how changed the second part will be, they didn't show the talents of any of the losers that enabled them to become successes as grownups. Richie's voices, Ben designing things for them to build, Eddie's sense of direction, Bill telling stories, etc.

I just hope Audra will be in it, because I fear if she's not, there may be changes I really won't like at all. One of the few things I liked about the 90s miniseries was how they played up the Ben and Bev stuff a little more.

 

[not_nadine]

That first basement scene with Georgie. Oh my.

I could have been fine without Audra in the book, or miniseries. I don't think she is needed in the movie.
Curious Rockym why do you think she is an important character?

 

[Dana Jean]

I don't even REMEMBER an Audra.

 

[not_nadine]

I don't even REMEMBER an Audra.

Bill's movie star wife.