Great entertainment

Rating: Null/10 (22 October 2000)

I read the book / series about two / three years ago and thought this was one of King's better novels. And thought this could make in to a good film... And so it did....This is probably the most faithful adptation of a King novel. That's not to say this is a major masterpiece. It's pace is both excellent and offputting. It fits the story, but at the same time you get too much time to think about the plot and how silly it all actually is. But: King kept the horrorlevel low (Darabont made the supernatural elements even more important...)and the ending fitting. King's obvious references to religion and Christ: Coffey, the miracles , the chair being a modern day cross, sin and redemption, are done well and they do make you think.
The most important thing for me is that I now realise what good an actor Hanks is. I think that he undeservedly won two oscars (it was the parts that got him the two gold fellas!), but here he gives his best performance yet.

8 out of 10.