Despite flaws, 'It' successfully adapts its source material
In 1990, an entire generation of children was emotionally scarred by Tim Curry’s performance in the miniseries “It.” Those too young to read Stephen King's work or too overwhelmed by the incredible length of his 1986 novel were terrified by Curry’s portrayal of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, one of King’s most enduring and horrifying creations. Even in present times, people still shudder at the memory of Pennywise’s grinning face on television or the cover of a video tape. The long-term impact of the miniseries has raised the question of whether a remake is entirely necessary, especially given the failure of recent remakes to recapture the terror of their originals (like the insipid 2013 reboot of “Carrie”). However, in a world where children still go missing and sewers still bubble insidiously, “It” remains relevant and holds the potential to scare a new generation of moviegoers.