MOVIE REVIEW ... A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

MOVIE REVIEW ...

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

The Elm Street series was a classic 80's horror franchise initially directed  by spook maestro Wes Craven and starring Robert Englund as child killer Freddy. It spawned six sequels, a TV series and an Elm St/Friday the 13th teaming. The first was the best although the others had their moments with its imaginative concept spinning ever more wildly with each successive film.  Now is the inevitable remake with its roots firmly planted in the first film's moody darkness.

In the quiet suburb of Springwood, its teenagers are having nightmares.  Among them are Elm Street resident Nancy (Rooney Mara) and Quentin (Kyle Gallner).  Dreaming of a sinister fedora wearing killer named Freddy Krueger (Jackie Earle Haley), their visions become a horrid reality.  Tormenting their friends with his evil ways, it's up to Nancy to discover the hidden secret past of the residents of Springwood.  Attempting to prove she has what it takes to defeat the 'son of a thousand maniacs', she enters the insidious dream master's realm and potentially her mortal doom.

 
Fans may probably look upon this remake as cinematic blasphemy.  Of the hundreds of modern horror films, Nightmare on Elm Street has been one of the most popular with laughs and thrills effectively combined. Thankfully it doesn't disgrace its legacy too much as the film-makers closely adhere to the strong concept.  Craven's original idea of people's fear of nightmares and the lack of control in having them is good and is given some fresh twists here.  Especially noticeable is the imaginative flair so crucial in the original is intact, giving a creative licence to sketch some inventive scenarios.

 
Whilst it's initially very strange seeing someone other than Englund portray Freddy, Jackie Earle Haley makes a worthy replacement.  More bitter and sinister than before, Haley's Freddy kills his victims with menacing ferocity.  His performance is the highlight in a film sadly lacking overall punch with a 'watered down' feel to its violence and lack of characters.  Although what's on display is good, it's missing any genuine scares to give it the energy which made the others so memorable.

 
Even if it would have been better to have seen an original horror film, A Nightmare On Elm Street is one of the more passable remakes.  If not utilising the concept to its fullest, it does have a great lead in Haley and has potential to build upon for the inevitable sequel.  Whether it will define a new decade of horror is another question, although the original versions will always be there to keep a watchful eye on further wicked happenings.

Movie Review Rating 6 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

A Nightmare on Elm Street released in Australia on Thursday 20 May 2010.

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