Stephen King's The Shining

Pros: Better casting, recreates episodes from the novel more accurately
Cons: Too much of Stephen King isn't necessarily a good thing

One of the most common gripes most authors have when their books are adapted for the movies by Hollywood – or other filmmaking communities in other countries – is that what an audience sees on the silver screen isn’t exactly what they wrote ...

Pros: Steven Weber and Rebecca De Mornay are a perfect fit
Cons: the moving topiary stretches credibility a wee bit too far

Perhaps I should start with some sort of disclaimer here: "It wasn't me, I wasn't there, and if I was, I was sleeping." No, that's not it. Oh never mind; disclaimers are difficult to come by these days. I merely meant a disclaimer is needed in the event ...

Pros: Intersting plot idea
Cons: The way it was conducted

My eyes and ears bled for a full half hour after watching this evil film. Why did I watch it? I knew it was going to be bad. All the films penned by King's hand have been, without excpetion. But I was curious. Kubirck's version of the Shining was ...

Pros: Faithful to the novel, any alterations stemming from Stephen King himself; good acting.
Cons: Pedestrian direction; somewhat repetitious; re-framed--though well-done--to 16:9, probably to assist new TV sales.

In reading reviews of this 1997 TV mini-series here and elsewhere, one invariably runs across a hostile protectionist Kubrick faction who seem to be under the misapprehension that this version of THE SHINING is a heretical remake of the 1980 theatrical ...

Pros: - One of King's most faithful adaptations - Steven Webber's performance
Cons: - Needs a little re-editing - Cheesy "moving" topiary effects. - King's annoying little cameos

CRITIQUE: (No major spoilers here)
It is well known that Stephen King was never really happy with Stanley Kubrick's take on his book, The Shining.

Imagine, then, his continued horror, when the movie becomes so financially successful....

Pros: Weber was fantastic! DeMornay was powerful! Mead was good, but too innocent.
Cons: The movie should've been scarier, it was almost like a drama not horror.

The mini-series is a three DVD or 2 video movie, which was on TV in 1997, I saw the Kubrick version first, I loved the movie...Jack Nicholson was classic, Danny Lloyd was very good, but Shelley Duvall was too whiny and was a wimp, she bothered so much. ...

Pros: Horror, humor, great acting, and a satisfying, touching ending all rolled into one
Cons: A minor nitpick would be the horrific animation of the moving shrubs

It's quite sad that this 1997 version of Stephen King's famous horror novel is overlooked in favor of the old Stanley Kubrik version. The original deviates MILES from King's book. Jack Nicholson is over-the top and phychotic from the very start. The ...

Pros: A great remake of a classic film
Cons: Too Long

Based on the book written by Stephen King, the original film of The Shining was adapted as a TV mini series and is now out on DVD. The teleplay iteself was written by King and directed by Mick Garris, who has also worked on Sleepwalkers and The Stand ...

Pros: Very strong acting performance from Steven Weber..follows the book better than Kubrick's movie.
Cons: I hate the little kid..Rebecca De Mornay's character isn't fleshed out enough.

I am a big fan of the book The Shiningand I was very happy that this version of the book was finally released on video, for I missed this when it was originally shown on television as a miniseries. This is NOT a remake of Stanley Kubrick's The...

Pros: Delicious, seductive horror in the classic tradition of "The Haunting."
Cons: Multiple disks mean you'll have to interrupt viewing.

I am SO delighted that this brilliant version of Stephen King's classic "The Shining" has finally co ...

Pros: Steven Weber's performance, Follows the book better
Cons: Melvin Van Peebles' performance, The hedge Animals, VERY long to watch.

The Shining (1997) Steven Weber as Jack Torrance Rebecca DeMornay as Wendy Torrance Courtland Mead as Danny Torrance Melvin Van Peebles as Dick Hallorann Pat Hingle as Watson Elliott Gould as Ullman John Durbin as Derwent Stanley Anderson as ...

Pros: Faithful to the book
Cons: Some silly looking special effects

Finally Stephen King is able to produce a movie version of The Shining that is faithful to the original book.

The first Shining movie had very little to do with the book it was derived from. But here we get to actually see on screen what King intended for his story.

I'm sure that some people who are enamored of the first Shining movie will have complaints about all the things from that movie that aren't present here- even I admit that I miss the blood pouring out of the elevator a little bit. But anyone who has read and enjoyed the book version of The Shining, or who enjoys King's unique vision of horror in general, will prefer this new Shining movie over the first.

The characters are much more developed, and the overall plot and atmosphere are far scarier. Some of the special effects look a little bad, but that's a minor complaint- what better can you expect in a made-for-TV movie?

Overall I would definitely recommend that any fans of King, The Shining, or horror in general should watch this movie.

Pros: written by Stephen King
Cons: Should have left well enough alone

This is one of those movies that should never be altered. Everyone know Jack Nicholson was the best choice for Jack Torrence. The original movie kept me on the edge of my seat this one barely kept me on the couch. No one can put an ax through a door like Nicholson can. And the special effects even though made quite a number of years later were not as good as before. I wouldn't rent this one just wait for it on television and save the money.