Simply a great film, not just a horror flick

Rating: Null/10 (20 August 1999)

I really never get scared by movies, and saying about this film that "it's a really scary movie" seems to me demeaning and dippy. This is not really a horror film, but an ingenious study of psychological archetypes. I think it is a masterpiece, like pretty much everything that Kubrick has ever done. The direction is very original and very excellent. Groundbreaking use of the steadicam makes the hotel itself a ubiquitous and omniscient character. It is amazing how Kubrick can work preexisting masterpieces of classical music into his films so well that they seem made for the film. I have long regarded Bela Bartok as probably the greatest composer of this century, and Kubrick's extensive use of his "Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta" is incredible. Nicholson's performance is perfect and bizarre, and every line is delivered so meaningfully and memorably. Even seemingly unimportant lines like, "See, it's OK. He saw it on the television." Like I said, I don't ever get scared by movies, and I consider this almost more a black comedy than a horror film. I grin with delight throughout this film, sometimes bursting into laughter due to the intense wierdness of Kubrick's and Nicholson's flamboyant interpretation of the madman. Memorable lines include "I swear I wouldn't touch one goddamn hair on his goddamn little head. I love the little sunuvabitch!!" "'What'll it be sir?' 'Hair of the dog that bit me.' Bourbon on the rocks!' 'That'll do it.'" One more thing I have to add: rack zoom in on guy in dog suit kneeling down in front of a guy that looks like Charlton Heston as they both stare at Wendy. Awesome!