MovieChat Forums > It (2017) Discussion > I'm starting to like the new Pennywise

I'm starting to like the new Pennywise

posted 7 years ago by [deleted]
12 replies | jump to latest

Aside from his constant glowing stare and his grin, I like the way he speaks ("Take i........t") and his little shiver of joy when he announces himself to Georgie as the "dancing clown". I like the unsettling nature of that, as it gives Skarsgard his own stamp on the character. I also, of course, love Tim Curry's take on it as well, but they are not quite the same: Curry is rather on the comedic yet scary side, and Skarsgard is ultimately creepier.

[–] DracTarashV2 (4497) 7 years ago

As Skarsgard put it, the way this Pennywise was going to standout was to make IT unrecognizable from Curry's beloved take on the character. Do something new and unique with the role. Now naturally that's something almost anyone should expect from an actor set to portray an iconic character previously played by someone else. However, it appears some people are really not feeling it. It's inevitable disappointment is going hit several fans of the book and original mini-series, but reading about Skargard's commitment to the role should earn him praise alone.

Anywho, from everything that's been shown and said so far, Skarsgard seems to have exceeded expectations (including King's) and made the role his own. I can more or less understand why his unfriendly look and seemingly creepy behavior in front of the kids (as he introduces himself individually to them, that is) would be an issue to a few out there. But I do not see eye to eye with those calling his look and delivery ineffective.... Where I'm coming from, this Pennywise looks like the ultimate personification of a creepy evil clown.

So yeah, to me this IT has the potential of becoming one of the most iconic villain/horror portrayals of this generation (the looked down upon generation). Looks perfect in every way.

[–] Lord Rake (4531) 7 years ago

I'm still not crazy about it. The clown seems so manufactured in this film, very cgi even the voice. The kids stories will probably carry the film if they stayed close to the novel.

[–] generalnotsew (2) 7 years ago

CGI? WTH? Did every single moron from IMDB come over here?

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

I'm still not crazy about it. The clown seems so manufactured in this film, very cgi even the voice. The kids stories will probably carry the film if they stayed close to the novel.

You CAN'T be serious, Lord Rake? It's called prosthetics, makeup and putting on a voice. Actors have been doing it since antiquity.

[–] Lord Rake (4531) 7 years ago

It is probably the eyes that make it feel the most manufactured. I understand what they were trying to achieve but in my opinion they look like they are on a layer above the film and motiontracked.

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

Don't worry, Rake, I know exactly what you mean. There is an almost too-polished feel to the new Pennywise. I see it in movies now, where everything feels a bit too slick, too perfect. I don't know if it is a result of movie-making tech becoming better, "higher quality", cheaper or what, but we've lost that sort of, realness somewhere along the line.

[–] beith1 (364) 7 years ago

i like that they made it different from curry's as well. pennywise looks scarier in this version. i'm looking forward to seeing this on thursday.

[–] Eddym123 (156) 7 years ago

"pennywise looks scarier in this version"
That is the very reason why I do not think this Pennywise is going to win people over. He is not supposed to be obviously menacing for the most part as he picked the shape to lure children to him. When Georgie spots Pennywise in the sewer he sees a jolly, fun looking clown which leads him to let his guard down. Now realistically would engage anyone in a sewer, friendly looking or not, but to have him engage something that looks more like a character from Spawn, not buying it. It.misses the point of the character.

[–] DracTarashV2 (4497) 7 years ago

The actor who plays this new Pennywise has made it no secret that he intended his portrayal to be nothing similar to the Pennywise we know. Unfaithful? Perhaps. But as long as the final result is effective and feels "mostly" honest (more than a few who've already seen it can actually attest it is), then I don't mind at all if we get something different. You may not be pleased by it, but what can ya do?

And by the way, Stephen King (apparently he's already seen the new movie twice), acknowledged the different approach but called it.... terrifying and really good. Though I guess we can't take his word for it - or of those that saw an advanced screening - even though he's never had a problem being critical of movies adaptated from his books.

[–] Stringey (260) 7 years ago

I saw the clip of penny wise talking to George. My opinion is that other than the paint/blood that keeps rinsing off the clowns lips in the rain this pennywise at first anyway gave off a innocent childlike vibe. I saw this clip at a screening of Annabelle. He gets George giggling by saying pop pop pop when talking about pop corn. And actually the little bit of cuteness that penny wise gives off at first impression to George makes him more disturbing even. And the clowns appearance overall does not look creepy in this scene however other scenes from other tv clips show a scary clown. Me thinks this penny wise we will see will look cute sometimes when deceiving and scary when he wants to reveal his ugly self

[–] Eddym123 (156) 7 years ago

He looks sinister and creepy from the very beginning. The novel states that when Georgie looked down into the sewer her saw some scary looking eyes. However, after a brief glimpse of those scary eyes and friendly blue eyed non-threatening clown appears and he wonders how he had mistaken the eyes as scary. The clown looks downright threatening, like in the Simpsons when homer built Bart a clown bed that was supposed to be Krusty the clown, but ends up looking like a demonic, deranged eyeball-less monster.The interaction lacked any chemistry that you would see between a kid that is happy to see a clown and a clown who is giving off a friendly demeanor where the kid feels it is safe to take the boat. This clown has a "come on, take the boat so I can rip off your arm" vibe from the start.

[–] carjones51 (205) 7 years ago

I hear what you're saying. This Pennywise was creepy from the very start, IMO. That said, I really enjoyed this remake. I loved the original, and Tim Curry will always be my favorite Pennywise, but BS did a good job!