Unlike King’s novel and the 1990 original “It,” the screenplay from Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga (the acclaimed writer-director of “ Sin Nombre” and “ Beasts of No Nation”) and Gary Dauberman doesn’t jump back and forth in time. Led by “ Midnight Special” star Jaeden Lieberher-whose everyman (everykid?) appeal grows with each film-and including a star-making performance from Sophia Lillis as the crew’s lone female member, it’s mostly unknown actors who comprise the film’s so-called “Losers Club.” But their characters are distinctly drawn, each with a fleshed-out backstory that explains why their fears make them so vulnerable to Pennywise’s attacks. The kid-bonding parts of the movie are actually stronger than the creepy-clown parts, even though images of that freakish, frilly fiend will be the ones that keep you awake at night. But “It” makes that work nearly every time, thanks to its perfectly calibrated performances from a well-chosen cast. Finding that combination of tones is such a tricky balance to pull off: the brief lightening of a tense moment with a quick quip, or an earnest monologue in the face of extreme danger. Even more effective than the horror elements of Argentine director Andy Muschietti’s adaptation is the unexpected humor he reveals in the story-and, ultimately, the humanity.
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