Scary, but don't watch it after reading the book.

Rating: Null/10 (18 July 2003)

This movie is scary, there's no doubt about that. But to be frank, it has hardly anything to do with the original book. And without going into detail, I'm not saying that because "it's not what I imagined while reading the book". It's just a different story, with the same names and the same frame.
Because of that, you'll be remarkably disappointed if you watch the movie right after you've read the book, because it won't make proper sense. "Jack's not supposed to react that way! This wasn't in the book? Now? Allready?" You'll have plenty of questions. You'll be puzzled by the things added to the movie, and baffled by the things that was removed from it.
I'm not going to debate whether and wherefore, and what's good choices and bad choices. That's up to you do decide for yourself after you read the book and watch the movie right afterwards despite/because of what i write. But don't watch it if you want a great impression of Kubrick, and don't watch it if you want a great "Stephen King movie". Do watch it, however, if you like to be scared by both disturbing images, as well as thrilling psychological suspense.
It's not really a bad movie, it's just not faithful to the book. At all.