I actually just watched the mini-series for the first time a couple of years ago. I went into it with modest expectations, knowing that it didn't have a very good reputation and that it was made-for-TV. Perhaps it's because I didn't expect much that I was able to have a decent time watching it.
The positives for me were Weber's performance, the locations and sets they used, the make-up effects, and a story that is fundamentally interesting. I also liked the way that we really got to see Jack Torrance's slow descent into madness. I know one of King's biggest criticisms of Kubrick's film was that Nicholson played the character as if he was already crazy from the beginning, and he's right about that. Even in the very first scene as they're driving to the Overlook Jack looks unhinged, which obscures the power of the haunted hotel.
I also liked De Mornay's performance as Wendy. She certainly was a very different kind of Wendy than Duvall was, but not in a bad way, and again for what it's worth, is much more faithful to the book.
The biggest negatives are that awful fucking kid who played Danny, the way the story can slow to a dull crawl at times, and as you said, the fact that it's not even half as creepy as Kubrick's version.
I do like Kubrick's film and think its obviously the superior adaptation. I own the movie in fact. But even fans must admit that it's a weird movie that won't be for everybody. Since you are a fan though, if you haven't seen it, you should check out the documentary Room 237.
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