Can you dig It?
Pennywise makes his return today, much to the delight of Stephen King fans
Let the anticipation end. In 1986, author Stephen King released his new horror novel about a sleepy town, missing children and a killer clown, destined to become a horror icon.
Now, more than 30 years later, Pennywise the Dancing Clown is back to strike fear in moviegoers as the new “It” movie hits theatres today.
“The original ‘It’ mini-series was a classic,” said Leona Morris, a King fan from Truro.
“I was worried when I heard it was being remade, but from the previews and articles I’ve seen, I am expecting big things from the new movie. Sometimes horror can be cheesy, but with ‘It,’ it keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
Starring actor Bill Skarsgård as the terrifying personification of Pennywise, the film is set in Derry, Maine and is a re-imagining of the book.
It takes place in the 1980s – 30 years from the book’s 1950s setting – as a group of outcast kids bands together while fighting for their lives and their sanity with a shapeshifting clown. It is essentially half the story of ‘It.’ Pending the success of this film, it is likely the other half, where the children reunite decades later as adults, will be put together as a separate piece. Chances are good.
King’s novel has created a cult following in the form of horror fanatics, and the new film has sparked a flood of interest from long-time fans of the book and the original mini-series released in 1990.
While some fans feel the film will do the book justice, others like to keep them separate and appreciate each as separate artforms.
“When comparing the book to the original mini-series, the miniseries was an entirely different game plan,” said Megan Arsenault, a long time King fan.
“There were so many details that were lacklustre compared to what was going on in the book. Tim Curry made an excellent Pennywise, and I think that Bill Skarsgård will bring something new and exciting to the table, too.”
The new film is hitting theatres today, and many Truro residents have already made plans to see the film. Two, in particular – who coincidentally share the same birthday — have decided a date with a certain clown is the best way to celebrate.
“We are definitely going to see ‘It’ for my birthday on Saturday,” said Sharon Dobson Farrell. “We watched the original about a week ago just to pump up the anticipation. I like his writing because you never know what twists and turns he is going to make.”
Her husband Bruce likes it because “he creates whole different worlds even though, for the most part, they all happen in Maine.”
Dobson Farrell’s been a fan of King’s work since she saw “The Stand,” more than 20 years ago.
“I immediately went out and bought the book and Bruce has been a fan about 30 years,” she said. “My favourite book is ‘Dolores Claiborne.’ Bruce is particularly fond of his short stories but likes ‘The Langoliers.’”
Sarah Alexander-Williams also wants to celebrate her birthday Saturday by seeing ‘It’.
It won’t be the first special day with a Stephen King theme. For their anniversary she and her husband went on a tour of Bangor, Maine that included locales associated with the author.
Alexander-Williams started reading Stephen King books about 10 years ago, beginning with “The Stand,” and has now read them all.
“I’ll probably be peeking through my fingers at some of the movie,” she admitted.