The Shining

🔥 5th Watch | Top 100 | Stanley Kubrick Ranked The Shining has a very great talent. I don't think you are aware how great it is. The horror genre boasts some fantastic movies, but The Shining stands out far above the rest. The Shining isn't just the uncontested greatest horror film of all time; it also stands firmly on cinema's Mount Rushmore. Faultless in execution, it's astonishing how upon its release, the film gained such a poor reputation. However, like The Thing, Stanley Kubrick's horror masterpiece slowly won the hearts of many, solidifying itself as a classic to be reckoned with. I am a little late but for Tyler MacGregor's recent birthday, I watched the 4K Blu-ray of The Shining, something that certainly did not disappoint. The picture quality was not only the most refined that I had ever experienced The Shining, but it was also one of the most gorgeous cinematic experiences that I have ever witnessed. Each frame not only looks ahead of its time for being released in 1980, but it looks greater than anything being released today, including visual marvels such as Oppenheimer, which I also recently had the pleasure to watch on 4K. The Shining is a visual gem for a variety of reasons. The vibrant colors, deliberate framing, mesmeric tracking shots, hypnotic zooms, eerie shadows, and beautiful symmetry were all plenty of ways that the cinematography showcased its visual beauty. However, what really makes The Shining so remarkable visually is how the film captures the depth of the Overlook Hotel. The hotel is filled with rich details, imagery that creates a sharp and spooky atmosphere that helped transform The Shining into the iconic film it is today. The 1980 horror classic was shot in a way that fully realized all of these details. Instead of these details just feeling like part of the background, I felt as if I could reach out my hand and interact with them. This is why The Shining is one of the most immersive films to have ever been produced. The film is two hours and thirty minutes, but each second from the beginning to end is riveting and unforgettable. The Shining is impeccable at keeping your eyes glued to the screen. Despite the film's legendary visual quality, it makes only a small portion of this film's brilliance. Every actor delivers with their roles, with Jack Nicholson's performance leading the way with his undisputed magnum opus. Some have labeled Nicholson's performance as an example of overacting, but like the rest of The Shining, Nicholson's performance is flawless. From his violent swings with his axe to his subtle darting glances with his eyes, Nicholson makes every movement count. From his aggressive shouting to his tense silence, Nicholson's auditory range as an actor was also put on full display. The Shining is special in the way that not only can practically every scene be considered the greatest in the film, but that every scene can also be considered one of the greatest of all time. This is true for a multitude of reasons, but Jack Nicholson is a huge reason why. However, even though Nicholson gave one of the greatest performances of all time, he never stole the show. Everybody gave an exceptional performance, no matter how little the part. It was everybody's commitment to their roles, and not just Nicholson's commitment to his, that made The Shining such a perfect example for a film containing extraordinary acting. The film additionally contains a shining example of a tremendous screenplay. Stanley Kubrick's The Shining admittedly has the pleasure of having Stephen King's work as a source material for his work. However, like the ambitious man that Kubrick was, The Shining heavily deviates from the novel, fundamentally changing the nature of the story so much that Stephen King has made it clear of his distaste for Kubrick. Stephen King characterized this relationship perfectly by saying, "In my novel, the hotel burns. In Kubrick’s movie, the hotel freezes." Stephen has been vocal about his criticism for Kubrick's film, comparing it to a Cadillac without a motor, but it's clear that King's biases blind him from the reality that The Shining was incredibly written, and even though it differs heavily from King's source material, it succeeds as something entirely different. The Shining has exceptional dialogue. Every line is perfect, and in combination with intricate performances, each scene feels masterfully crafted. Bathroom scene with Jack Torrance and Delbert Grady was one of the most powerful scenes in the entire film due to how the power subtly shifts. The scene is wonderfully written, and it marks one of the pivotal points in the story. There are plenty of scenes that share this quality, which is what makes The Shining so immersive from the beginning to the end. Many horror movies are structured in ways where they start off slow and then progress to a major finale at the end. However, these films are also executed in a way where this expository phase doesn't feel as significant as the final showdown. However, The Shining is executed in a way where every scene feels important. It constantly warrants your attention; it's constantly engaging. The film moves at a perfect rhythm. No scene is shorter or longer than it needs to be, and each scene flows beautifully into the next, despite the film being broken up into chapters. Obviously, the editing played a massive factor in the film's quality, but the script was a major contributor to the film's success as well. With many rich themes, incredible characters, iconic dialogue, excellent scenes, and more, The Shining's screenplay is one of the greatest aspects of the film, and there are always more things to catch on each subsequent rewatch. It makes each rewatch of The Shining a rewarding experience. There is so much to dissect about The Shining. The production design, costume design, editing, sound design, music, everything else described in this review, everything else described in my previous reviews, and much more are executed to perfection in Stanley Kubrick's 1980 masterpiece. The Shining is a magnificent blend of the themes of duality, isolation, reincarnation, obligation, mental health, and more are utilized flawlessly, and the abundance of extraordinary dialogue, mesmerizing scenes, prodigious performances, exquisite visuals, and more. It's remarkable just how well each aspect of the film complements each other. I could honestly go on and on about each and every sublime detail of The Shining, but I'm going to end it here. It's clear just how powerful of a film The Shining is, and it excels from the first frame to the last. No matter how great you think The Shining is, let me assure you... It's even better than you think. "Great party, isn't it?" ⬅️ Previous Review: Stop Making Sense