I've watched the recent movies and Im watching the 1990 series right now.
Tim Curry really nails the role in my opinion. He has such an odd delivery, voice, Nd demeanor that he didn't require a lot of effects to be creepy. He's genuinely creepy as pennywise. Skarsgard did well, but Curry is King.
Curry acts too human as Pennywise when he's meant to be some kind of alien from another universe. My Dad told me that he actually thought Curry's Pennywise was just a normal human dressed as a clown, killing kids. He seemed to have ignored the shapeshifting and stuff.
I'd say Curry needed just as much special effects as Skarsgard: the shower scene, the silver in the head deadlights moment, that ridiculous flip he does over the Losers and disappears down a drain scene - now THOSE looked CORNY.
I used to like the miniseries back in the day, but I love these new movies much more.
They are corny, but that doesn't make his performance any less creepy.
shareIn the novel, Pennywise is described as looking like a typical clown, like those you would see in a TV show, in a parade, at a birthday party, etc. That's how he was able to draw children to him, and Curry's incarnation of the character is the closest to that description.Skarsgard's Pennywise is so obviously creepy and evil from the get-go, it's amazing that kids didn't run away from him screaming.
shareI agree, OP. I think what I like most about Curry's Pennywise is that he's clearly having fun with the role, but at the same time, he isn't overdoing it. He's giving it as much drama as it needs without going overboard so that it's perceivably scary. Like, this could really be a creep in a costume, hunting down kids for sport (which is terrifying imo). But he's doing enought that you can believe he's an otherworldly being who's been around so long he's gotten good at wearing a certain level of "normalcy" as a mask.
That's where I think Skarsgård failed. He went too far in every way possible and made it unintentionally silly and comedic. I feel all his scary moments were in his movements and silent action, rather than in the actual performance he gave. I also don't think the directorial choices helped. The makeup, for example, is almost too modern looking. Have you ever seen a 1980s clown? Not Skarsgård's fault, but in contrast to Curry's Pennywise, the Skarsgård version just doesn't compare imo.
I completely agree. He is the reason I'm scared of clowns 🤡. Brilliant actor in general tbh.
shareI agree. I prefer Curry's version over Skarsgård any day of the week.
shareHe was the best thing about this miniseries.
shareI think no one can come close to him, ever. No matter how many remakes we are going to have.
He did that with close to no effects, CGI and other things.
Like you said, Skarsgard did well, but Curry was the stuff of nightmares.
I think it depends a lot when you saw them and how. I've watched the mini-series close to the age the gang had, I relate more to that version.
i also find Curry just got under your skin way more, and was far far creepier than new guy
enjoyed both performances.. but Tim legit looked like he'd swallow your soul and giggle about it
Tim Curry was fantastic as Pennywise.
share