MovieChat Forums > It (2017) Discussion > Really wish they would've made Pennywise...

Really wish they would've made Pennywise more like the Tim Curry version


I really like the kids, and their camaraderie in this film, but the clown just doesn't hit home for me.

Tim Curry's version was more creepy, and IMO, more menacing. An R rated film with this version of Pennywise would've been gold.

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I think it's all perspective.

Personally, while I get where you're coming from, I think that Skarsgård's Pennywise felt more 'alien' than Curry's ever did. I liked Curry's performance, don't get me wrong, but he didn't give off the same alien vibe I got from Skarsgård.

That said, I generally think that many people would agree with you, but I do think both actors have really positive parts to them.

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I don't really hate Skarsgård's performance.

I love a lot of his scenes, acting wise. The scene at the very beginning with Georgie is very creepy.

However, I think Tim Curry had the better dialogue and costume/makeup. I also think it is more faithful to the book as King describes Pennywise as like a Bozo or Ronald Mcdonald kind of clown.

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"The scene at the very beginning with Georgie is very creepy"

^ yes! this was my favourite scene with Skarsgård and feel that IT would've been better if there had been more encounters and dialogue with the Losers. I think the reason I loved Tim Curry's Pennywise is because his dialogue was more frequent (?) and the creepy vibe comes from that interaction VS new version that mainly relied on cheap jump scares :(

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Yes, I believe you are exactly right. I think the key is the interactions.

If there were more scenes that felt like the beginning with Georgie, it would've been better.

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I agree with this. Both versions had their strengths. Personally, the big thing that sold me on this version of Pennywise was the laugh. Much closer to how I always imagined it while reading the book!

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I think so also. The new Pennywise relies on those huge CGI teeth and dislocating jaw, etc, and the original was just a creepy, creepy clown who did have pointed teeth at times, but it wasn't all made by a computer. Tim Curry had to do a lot with what he had for that Mini series. And I did love the adult and kid casting in the original It.

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