A Kubrick disappointment

Rating: Null/10 (24 February 2003)

This Stephen King story a la Kubrick is hailed by many as the greatest horror film ever. Well, it´s fascinating but with major flaws. Actually, Stanley Kubrick is my favourite director and I´m a big fan of horror films, but The Shining is the only Kubrick film that hasn´t impressed me much. Kubrick has put all effort on the atmosphere, which is original and hypnotic, but although I have seen the film three times, I have never really been scared. Also, the character studies should have been better. The relationships between the family members are vaguely drawn, which makes the course of horrible events less gripping.
Yet the big empty hotel is the perfect location for an eerie atmosphere and innovative camerawork (especially when the boy rides his bike through the corridors), Jack Nicholson and Danny Lloyd as his son are perfectly cast and the last image surely gives you something to think about. However, the film works much better as a psychological thriller. I believe The Exorcist will always be my favorite horror film.