The Shining Informal Response

Brandon Ong 9/10/11

Mr. Waddell B Block

The Shining Informal Response

For someone who hates watching horror movies and is scared easily, the first time through watching The Shining was horrible. Watching it at 2 AM alone in the dark was a very bad idea. From the sound effects to the acting, many factors contributed to the initial horror of the movie. However, after analyzing scenes such as that of Danny biking in the hallway of Room 217, or Danny seeing the two murdered twins and Wendy interrupting Jack’s typing, a newfound appreciation for the camera work and subtle details Kubrick entails became present. First, Kubrick’s choice of camera angles and decision to choose different point of views adds depth to the movie. The choice of camera angles allows you to feel the isolation of the characters and gives the Overlook a larger than life feel. I especially remember the moment where the camera was in POV mode when Danny tried the door to Room 217. Doing so made the scene even more nerve wrecking, as the dread that the door would open, accompanied by the buildup of music, made the scene truly horrifying. In addition to the camera work, the small details such as the nonexistent shadows and reflections that wouldn’t have been seen the first time viewing the movie is another appreciative point. Other factors like the attention to symmetry, such as that of the hallways, the carpet design, or the two twins also contributes to the spookiness of the movie, as too much symmetry is supposedly unnerving to humans. In regards to differences between the book and the movie, while there were many drastic changes, it is understandable as it is hard for a movie to truly contain all of the thoughts of the individual characters and so some plot change is needed. However, the decision to change the ending left a feeling of incompleteness, for while Jack dies, the Overlook doesn’t. In the book, the fact that both Jack and the Overlook perish with the explosion leaves a feeling of satisfaction. All in all, despite the many changes, Kubrick's’ adaptation of the novel is horrifyingly great. The superb attention to detail, from sound effects to camera angles, adds depth to the movie, ultimately making up for the plot changes.