Pennywise the Dancing Clown terrified theater audiences with a $123 million opening weekend; the biggest opening ever in the month of September and for an R-rated horror film. As one of those audience members I happily concede that "It" is that good.

Based on the novel by Stephen King, the movie "It" concentrates on the coming-of-age part of the book with seven kids living in Derry, Maine in the late 1980's. After several kids go missing, including Georgie in the disturbing opening scene, Bill, the guilt-ridden older brother and his friends claiming themselves as, "The Losers Club," begin searching with little hope for Georgie. They take on their biggest fears as they unravel the mystery of It as it feeds on the fears of children by transforming into various creatures, but mainly taking the form as the iconic Pennywise the Clown, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård, invoking ultimate uneasiness in viewers in the few times he wasn't ramped up by special effects. The talented young cast is magnificent with Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) hilariously adding humor to the fright. While the story itself and the lack of fear as it progresses is the film's weakness, the set design, effects, and cinematography were all flawless. The music composed by prolific horror composer Benjamin Wallfisch (Annabelle: Creation) brings out the creepiness in the scares and the warmth in the tender-hearted moments.

It's funny that everyone is comparing "It" to "Stranger Things," which it's true, they are very similar (even a same cast member), but "It" is not like "Stranger Things." Rather, "Stranger Things" is like "It." Stephen King's novel came out first in 1986 along with the movie "Stand By Me," which is about a group of kids who find a dead body, based on another story by Stephen King. The familiarity we see in "Stranger Things" is because of stories like "It," "Stand By Me," and even "E.T." The small town 80's setting, the bonds of friendship working to overcome some evil force, and of course, young love. "It" is true cinematic entertainment, and also an homage to those great 80's coming-of-age stories and movies. While it certainly has its flaws, and is in no way a masterpiece (too many jump scares, more action than horror, repetitive, etc.), the tribute it gives and the heart it has is enough to salvage it. It's not your typical horror-flick, and that's what makes it great.