This film had flaws, but thats not the point... (possible spoiler)

Rating: Null/10 (18 February 2000)

Another outstanding film from Kubrick which is loosly based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. The plotline is basically similar to King's novel, however it lacked the character development and intriguing dynamic events.
The two most memorable parts of the film were the following scenes: 1) When the Grady twins are staring right at the camera down the hall from Danny, and the shot changes back and forth from them being chopped up; and 2) After the bit where Jack hacks open the bathroom door and leaves, Wendy looks out and there's this buttler-type in a tuxedo and this person wearing a bear/dog costume kneeling beside the bed.
The latter sticks out in my mind (dreadfully) because it happened quickly and had no apparent ties with the current events. It was a semi-scary bear suit, too.
The character of Wendy is played very poorly, because she sounds incredibly uneasy when talking to Jack throughout the whole movie, even before he goes crazy. And the part when she was swinging the bat at him on the staircase was just pathetic.
The only problem I have with the logistics of the movie is how he actually got out of the kitchen store room. Delbert Grady (which he got mixed up with Charles Grady, for some odd reason) was supposed to be a ghost in Jack's head. I thought this was true until they were talking there and he opened the door for him.
The use of classical music was very effective, a real break from most horror movies with upbeat techno or rock music. The sound effects were great as well (Danny's trip through the hotel on the Big Wheel).
As for any deeper meaning or religeous references that many people have commented on or suggested, I couldn't really find any stable ones. Basically, Kubrick wanted to make an artistic horror movie using amazing camera angles and music to create a creepy sensation. It was just a scary movie about a guy who got cabin feaver and tried to kill his family. It would happen to anyone. So as far as symbolism goes, there was none.
I think that Dick Halloran wasn't used enough. He seemed so concerned about the family, flew all the way from Florida, and spent 6 or 7 hours driving. Then, as he walkes into the hotel, Jack comes up and axes him in the chest. There could've at least been some sort of struggle or battle of morals or something.
The maze could have been used more, they just had it when Wendy and Danny went for a walk, and once more in the final chase part. I don't quite know what Kubrick was trying to say in the last scene, perhaps "Go read the book".