A Nightmare On Elm Street (New Line Cinema)
Freddie Has A Secret
In 1984 Wes Craven started it all with his film A Nightmare On Elm Street. Since that time there have been approximately eight sequels or revisionings of the basic story line, the latest being the new A Nightmare on Elm Street which stars Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger. In all the other films Robert Englund played the villainous lead role.
This new film starts fresh with high school students having their dreams invaded by a badly burned man with long razor like talons on his fingers. If they fall asleep this man, who comes to be known as Freddy Krueger, can kill them. So it soon becomes evident they have to stay awake.
After the first death occurs the rest of the students who are having the same type of dreams become more vigilant. They do some investigative work and come up with a link between those who are being targeted. It seems Freddy has a secret past and he is willing to kill to keep it quiet and to get some revenge.
The fact the makers of this film tried in a way to make it have a plot is commendable. It isnt just kill, kill, kill without motivation. Rather there is a reason behind the madness no matter how bizarre it is. Freddy has some problems that is to be sure, but he also has a pre-fire face and a background that leads to the killings. How he gets into the kids dreams is another matter altogether.
Haley is a solid replacement for Englund as the murderous Freddy. He is particularly effective in the scenes of Freddys earlier life. Although his talent was put to better use in Watchmen this role should give him employment for years to come.
As for the outstanding screamer in the film, that title goes to Katie Cassidy. She can yell with the best of them, even giving Jamie Lee Curtis a run for her money. Cassidy, Kellan Lutz, Rooney Mara, Thomas Dekker and Kyle Gallner play the students who are pursued by Freddy. Connie Britton and Clancy Brown play two of the parents who have no insight into their kids lives.
The film is rated R for violence and profanity.
The assured success of this film should break ground for even more sequels and stories using the Freddy Krueger character. Horror films are a staple of American entertainment and Freddy Krueger is an icon of the horror genre. So hello Jackie and farewell Robert.
This film breaks new ground only in its having a bit more plot than the other movies. There is an explanation given for Freddys behavior, but all other aspects of the movie are just pure fantasy. Its worst violation is when it allows Freddy to step outside the dreams. He ought to have to play by the rules the film has set up.
I scored A Nightmare On Elm Street a no-doze 4 out of 10.
