So much time, not enough scares

Rating: 3/10 (2 November 1999)

What a combination! The legendary Stanley Kubrick adapting a Stephen King novel and starring Jack Nicholson. It couldn't miss . . . and yet it did! The problems I had with this version of the story is that I think that Jack Torrance (Nicholson) isn't wrapped to tightly at the beginning of the film in the first place, so we don't exactly have that much tension when Jack finally does snap. While I haven't read the King novel, I've heard that Wendy (Shelley Duvall) was no where near as wimpy as she is portrayed here. I was also more annoyed by Danny (Danny Lloyd) than frightened or sympathetic towards him. I probably would have taken an axe to him as well. On the plus side, I DID like Scatman Crothers' performance as the cook who can also "shine". I also liked the use of sound, such as when Danny is riding his Big Wheel alone through the halls of the hotel. The sound of the cycle going from the carpet to the wooden floor and back was a little unsettling. Also the appearance of the twin ghosts was a bit of jolt as well. However, I think the main complaint I have is that for the amount of time this movie runs, there aren't nearly enough scares to occupy them. That's why I'm about to commit a blasphemy: I'm going to recommend the '97 TV version of this over this one! THAT one scared me.