Empire's The Shining Movie Review

The Shining
'Heeeere's Johnny!!!!!''

Plot
Jack Torrance has writer's block, but his tactic of moving into an old hotel over winter with his wife and son brings out more than just the artistic demons in him...

Review

Stanley Kubrick was looking for his next project after Barry Lyndon (1975). As his then secretary recalled, he was stationed in his office with a stack of recent books, opening them, starting to read, then tbwumpp! she would hear the sound of a paperback meeting the wall. The process went on for a while. Then, all of a sudden, there was silence. Kubrick had picked up a novel called The Shining by a young up-and-coming horror author by the name of Stephen King.

You can well imagine King's sense of validation at having such a director as this turn to his pulp morbidities for inspiration and Kubrick, the notorious obsessive, pestered the author with calls at unearthly hours to inquire whether he believed in God, or some other vital clue. The relationship, however, was soon to fragment. King hated the film. Kubrick (with co-screenwriter Diane Johnson) filleted the novel, ditching its more formulaic horror elements in favour of a study in madness and ambiguous evil — that, of course, of father, drunk, caretaker, and wannabe novelist Jack Torrance (a defining role for Jack Nicholson). Kubrick, akin to his trippy treatment of the sci-fi genre, was elevating horror to a different plane, removing its camp wiggeries and bogeymen to infuriate and bedazzle with sinewy suggestion and sumptuous, awe-inspiring technique. Technically, there is no better film in the genre. Its chills are less direct (that is until Torrance finally throws off the shackles of sanity), rather something that creeps under the skin to unsettle and disturb. King though was having none of it, describing Kubrick's film as a "big and beautiful car. Ultimately a piece of machinery with neither I heart nor soul." Foolishly the author recently elected to remake the book faithfully as a TV mini series to derisory reaction.

In accordance with the Kubrick legend, the process of making the movie took meticulousness to staggering levels — Shelley Duvall was reputedly forced to do no less than 127 takes of one scene; Nicholson was force fed endless cheese sandwiches (which he loathes) to generate a sense of inner revulsion, and the recent invention of the Steadicam (by Garret Brown) fuelled Kubrick's obsessive quest for perfection. The result is gloriously precision-made. The use of sound especially (listen to the remarkable rhythm qf silence then clatter set up by Danny pedalling his trike intermittently over carpet then wooden floor.) And that's not forgetting the procession of captivating images: a lift opening to spill gallons of blood in slow motion; a beautiful girl transformed into an old hag in Jack's arms; and, as a million posters now attest, Jack's leering face through the gaping axe wound in the door.

Alive with portent and symbolism, every frame of the film brims with Kubrick's genius for implying psychological purpose in setting: the hotel's tight, sinister labyrinth of corridors; its cold, sterile bathrooms; the lavish, illusionary ballroom. This was horror of the mind transposed to place (or, indeed, vice versa). The clarity of the photography and the weird perspectives constantly alluding to Torrance's twisted state of mind. The supernatural elements are more elusive than the depiction of his madness. The "shining" itself — the title comes from the line "We all shine on" in the John Lennon song Instant Karma — is the uncanny ability to see dark visions of the truth (young Danny manifests the power through an imaginary alter-ego Tony). A power separate from yet entwined with the evil that dwells in the building (the whole family will come to experience it).

The Overlook, sacrilegiously built on an ancient Indian burial ground (a minor point for Kubrick and stolen by Poltergeist), is haunted by evil spirits. When Jack enters the sprawling ballroom, he is entering into the building's dark heart (possibly even Hell itself): "Your credit's fine Mr Torrance." It's unclear whether it is Torrance's growing insanity that invites this or The Overlook itself taking possession of his soul. Grady, the previous caretaker, a man driven to slaughter his family (the source of Danny's disturbing second sight of the blue-dressed sisters) is another of Torrance's visitation states — "You have always been the caretaker," Grady suggests menacingly. The evil may have always been there in Jack, The
Overlook merely awakened it.

It's a question the whole film is posing: does the potential for evil reside in all men, just waiting to come to life? The final shot of Torrance trapped inside a photograph of the ballroom in 1921 hints at his destiny: he has become one with The Overlook — as he always was (death, you see, is never the end). The point, though, for the infuriatingly brilliant Kubrick was to always keep the answers out of reach. Indeed, he had a mantra he exhorted to all concerned (actors and journalists alike), it's a quote from H.P. Lovecraft: "In all things that are mysterious — never explain."

Verdict

Reviewed by Ian Nathan

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Your Reviews

Average user rating for The Shining

The most hypnotically chilling movie I've ever seen
Kubrick made quite a few masterpieces, but this is my personal favourite. Truly stunning cinema. ... More


Posted by Mr Gittes at 18:06, 06 February 2013 \| Report This Post



RE: EMPIRE ESSAY: The Shining
This is one of those films whose extended cuts are worse. I could not stop remembering the extended cut of Watchmen. It sucked big time and just plain wasted time. ... More

Posted by carleslempner at 02:46, 03 December 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: EMPIRE ESSAY: The Shining
You've always been watching the Shining. ... More

Posted by jobloffski at 08:25, 28 November 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: EMPIRE ESSAY: The Shining
I wish I could watch The Shining for ever, and ever, and ever................ ... More

Posted by holdemax at 00:06, 28 November 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: The Shining
L: krisjcummins Superior to King's book itself, this Kubrick horror film frightens, disturbs and provokes thought in the viewer. o it isn't, that doesn't make any sense. They're two very different beasts. I'm a huge fan of King but it's not my favourite of his books. And even though it isn't really the book Kubrick's film does fascinate and disturb me, but on a seperate and less cerebral level than the novel. L: jonson So the extended cut added nothing but took away loads... More

Posted by DancingClown at 13:31, 27 November 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: US CUT
So the extended cut added nothing but took away loads. Too much explained too early, which spoilt some surprises (Room 237, the maze, the Jack-has-given-up-drinking, the added information in the interview, the hospital scene with Danny and the awful skeletons in the lobby (which I think is in the US edition anyway)) Still a superb film though, brilliant on the cinema, Nicholson has never been nuttier (causing a few of the, ahem, "young student types" in the cinema to actually /i] core ... More


Posted by jonson at 12:12, 27 November 2012 \| Report This Post



US CUT
Saw the US cut at my local cinema on Halloween and while it had some nice extra character beats I can see why Kubrick chopped the scenes as they really add nothing to the drama and at times do slow the movie down badly. Fortunately both versions are available on blu ray (though you will need to import the US disc if you want the longer cut, it is region free) so fans can pick and choose which one to watch. I own both but prefer the shorter european version as I find it perfectly paced. ... More


Posted by Mulholland Empire at 14:13, 03 November 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: EMPIRE ESSAY: The Shining
Really looking forward to seeing this at the cinema in 3 weeks time, followed by Room 237 a week after. Heard some good reviews of Room 237 so far, The Shining is my third favourite horror film (after TCM and The Thing) and I imagine it will really benefit from a big screen showing. Can't wait. ... More

Posted by jonson at 16:13, 02 November 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: EMPIRE ESSAY: The Shining
Both the film and book are great. King is a great writer and I've enjoyed every book of his I've read. I can understand why he'd feel the way he does about the film. Kubrick rejected his script, instead choosing to write it himself along with a writing partner (Diane Thompson was it?). Not only that but Kubrick put a little joke in the film at King's expense in the form of the wrecked red car. King's assertion that Kubrick's film has no soul is totally wrong. His opinion is borne out ... More

Posted by John The Grudge at 10:58, 02 November 2012 \| Report This Post




Saw this last night (extended cut of 24 minutes).. have to say that with the additional scenes added it was as dull as fook. The original cut is so much better as this version just drags big time. ... More


Posted by chris wootton at 11:41, 01 November 2012 \| Report This Post



A Masterpiece
Those carping about the lack of faithfulness to Stephen King's book are unfortunately going over old ground. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. You'll always have King's book. Kubrick's personal vision in the film adaptation doesn't detract from it in the slightest. What you do get with the film of "The Shining" is the vision of a singular film maker - a director who always took source material and twisted it to suit his own interests and world view. In the case of "The Shining&q... More


Posted by Duckers at 23:52, 30 October 2012 \| Report This Post



Nothing about the additional 20 minutes!
As The longer US print is being released for the first time in UK cinemas I would have expected some review of this (is it better, worse, does it add anything or help explain?). Nothing, all we get is a review of The Shining as we all know it. Film is good (although not quite a masterpiece), this review is pretty pointless and those extra 20 minutes are still a mystery. ... More


Posted by philropson at 13:27, 30 October 2012 \| Report This Post



Agree with Stephen King
I didn't see the TV miniseries, and I don't doubt that it wasn't very good. But I completely agree with Stephen King that the movie takes the heart and soul out of King's book. King' stories are all about the characters, but Kubrick's characters are not very human or relatable. To me that's the most important element to a story like this. The Shining is still a good film, but to me not the masterpiece that everyone says it is. ... More


Posted by Madhava at 15:21, 29 October 2012 \| Report This Post



More than "just a horror film"
A perfect blend of all the elements needed for a film to cross the boundary from "great" to "classic" - music, performances, sound effects, sets, the structure and content of each shot and those tracking shots! Clearly Kubrick did not set out to make any old horror film - what was in it for him in just doing that? - but thee horror film. I have seen The Shining 8 times now and each time it fills me with dread and fascination. Each time it reveals yet another hidden layer. Eac... More


Posted by Filmscoreman at 13:54, 29 October 2012 \| Report This Post



THE greatest horror film. Peroid.
Some people argue about certain genres Kubrick has tackled. Some people disagree that he topped the sci-fi genre with 2001. Some disagree that he bettered Ben-Hur with Spartacus. Many disagree that he topped the comedy genre with Dr Strangelove. And a lot of people disagree that he made the best war film with Paths Of Glory. All of these points of view I personally disagree with, but the point I'm making is that there hasn't really been a universal agreement on the belief that he has topped t... More


Posted by lewistarantino at 18:46, 04 April 2011 \| Report This Post



HERE'S JOHNNNNNYYYYYY
I didn't really understand the ending of the film when I saw him for the first time, but you don't have to take it serious.... The 2 girls and elevator scenes were wonderful. ... More


Posted by The Great Danton at 16:17, 01 November 2010 \| Report This Post



There's no doubting that this is the scariest film ever made
Nicholson is absolutely perfect and nobody could have directed this better than Kubrick. My favourite scene is without a doubt the bathroom scene between Torrance and Grady, simply the most chilling scene in movie history as Grady hardly blinks once and his voice becomes icier and icier as he uses the "correction" metaphor to imply how he coldly butchered his family. I also think that the close-up of the photo is my favourite movie ending, always waking up the neck-hairs. ... More


Posted by !xHoTRoDx! at 21:52, 13 April 2010 \| Report This Post



The Shining
Superior to King's book itself, this Kubrick horror film frightens, disturbs and provokes thought in the viewer. This is a serious contender for the greatest horror film ever made. Astounding on every level. ... More


Posted by krisjcummins at 20:44, 23 January 2010 \| Report This Post



ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHH
saw this film years and years ago at the age of 15 as part of CH4's season of kubrick films. It freaked the fuck out of me like no horror film has ever done and hasnt done since ( well, with the exception of john carpenters The Thing). that bar scene wiv jack and the bar tender got under my skin cos as jack walks in theres nobody there and the next min theres this bar tender!! arrrrgh lol fucking brill work by the genius that is kubrick and it doesnt resort to excessive gore either to scare u li... More


Posted by Coolerking2007 at 19:03, 16 July 2009 \| Report This Post




An outstanding piece of film. Jack Nicholson is just incredible and some of his scenes in this will still live with me for life. Truly brilliant and if you haven't seen this then it's hard to believe that you like films at all. ... More


Posted by PureAinmhi at 16:06, 14 June 2009 \| Report This Post



my favorite horror movie of all time
this film is creepy, scary and amazingly well made and acted a classic which years and years later still scares. ... More


Posted by THE DALTONATOR at 11:33, 25 January 2009 \| Report This Post



Mediocre
I fear that after reading the book I would watch the film with expectations. I did, and they were ruined. A lot of things were good (pretty much all the classic moments) but a lot of great things they cut out the film from the novel. I understand why they put in a maze, special effects weren't what they are now but why SPOILER>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> ;>>>>>> kill Hallorann <<<<<<... More


Posted by SolarDave at 18:57, 14 October 2008 \| Report This Post



The Master is Here
One of the horror greats. Enthralling- Kubrick all over ... More


Posted by blaud at 13:16, 10 September 2008 \| Report This Post



The Master is Here
One of the horror greats. Enthralling- Kubrick all over ... More


Posted by blaud at 13:16, 10 September 2008 \| Report This Post



The Shining.
An Instant Classic! Great Movie. ... More


Posted by nc_jj at 20:19, 21 March 2008 \| Report This Post



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The Shining'Heeeere's Johnny!!!!!''

The Shining
'Heeeere's Johnny!!!!!''