A Nightmare On Elm Street

So I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and Freddy Kruger was huge throughout my childhood. I can remember watching the original Elm Street Films, the first being the scariest, as a kid and not being able to sleep properly for a month. I am sure there are those of you out there who are still a little fearful of what you might dream of even now. So when I heard that a new “Nightmare” was starting, a remake of the original, I was a little nostalgic of the past and a little apprehensive about how the new modern version would compare!

Luckily I managed to get an invite for a press screening of this horror fest a couple weeks early. Now as you know I like a good horror, but like most don’t particularly like jumping when suddenly something jumps out at you from the screen (Alien / Arachnophobia to name a few examples). If however you like jumping out of your seat with shock every few seconds as if your chair is on fire or if you don’t have enough fingers to peak through then this film is perfect for you.

I Just wish they had been selling sofas at the popcorn stand to cringe behind…….

Importantly this film is much darker and a great deal more evil, a film than the original and I can’t see how this or any of its likely sequels could possibly end up being comical like the original movies ( Dream Warriors ????? Please!!!). This is a 21st century horror with 21st centaury realism and effects, created by New Line Cinema “The Daddy” of horror film companies in my opinion. The evil SOB Freddy is portrayed excellently by Jackie Earle Haley and easily compares to Robert Englund the original Boogey man of nightmares. There is just a touch of sick insanity in Haleys’ eyes which makes him a truly believable pedophilic maniac.

The story revolves around the hideously burned Kruger who is terrorizing a group of teenagers who mostly live on Elm street. The lighting and mood setting is excellent and sticks close to the original in this respect, but the effects are infinitely better although I prefer the original Elm streets wall shroud the CGI in the new scene only made the film look fake in this respect only in comparison. You’ll see what I mean… As the story progresses you find out why, so I can’t reveal all here, but to save their soles and provide a good night’s sleep (a bit like Valium) in comes Nancy the Heroine of the old moves. She is played by (Rooney Mara) and like the original she is initially week and timid and as the bodies build up so does her courage to act against the sick freak Kurger with the help of her fellow nightmare tormented teens. There is some excellent work from Kyle Gallner who plays her friend and would be boyfriend Quentin and Thomas Dekker who I envied when he played along Summer Glau in The Sarah Connor Chronicles. (She’s breath taking). The scream of the year award has to go to Katie Cassidy who has to have the strongest pair of lungs and the deafest friends in Hollywood. This film is a 21st centaury take on an essentially 80’s classic horror. There is no more plastic tongues stuck to home phones the size of a teapot The director uses CGI and innate good acting with his characters, although the old treacle covered corridor is a nightmare we have all had and will bring back memories of waking up in a cold sweat. The director Samuel Bayer has really done a good job on this reinvention and the boiler room is scarier than ever and hotter than hell’s kitchen.

Unfortunately the ultra evil version of Gordan Ramsey with a glove who’s fingers are tipped with knives just won’t let you leave his kitchen and it’s the kids that are on the menu……..

Enjoy the meal……

Overall this is an excellent remake, a must for all those who saw the originals and a fresh look at a classic for those who weren’t around the first time. Look out for a corridor a foot deep in treacle and my favorite a knife covered glove poking up out of a girl’s bath water right between her legs…. ooooohhhhh.