Tuesday, October 21, 2008

"This is only a dream!" Nightmare on Elm Street Review


Sure! It's all in your head, but like Dumbledore said, even if its in your head, does that make it less real?

I can't believe I've been afraid of "Nightmare on Elm Street" for years! I had made my excuses and only watched certain scenes trying to get at least the gist of the film. I did have really bad nightmares when I was little so just the thought of this movie made me weary [that was my own doing since I was reading any kind of horror novel I could get my little hands on]. For 1984, the graphics were excellent (well, except for the extended hand/arm scene, but I forgive that).

The first scenes are perfect and set off the confusion on whether people are dreaming or if they were still awake. The use of an old boiler room was an excellent plot device. That actual place was in the jails in North Hollywood so maybe someday I'll be able to walk down there... The actors were all pretty good except for the guy who played the trademarked "bad boy." He annoyed me throughout the film and I wasn't sad to see him go. Johnny Depp has his first role here and I must say that you could see that spark that he has. The shot of his character death was intense. I'm thinking they had to use some upside down sets in order to make the blood flow across the "ceiling" like that. It was great effect.


Now, I've always loved Robert Englund in his other films. He's just creepy. People would wonder how I would know those films, but not these. I like how Wes Craven, the director, chose to have Freddy be almost mute like the likes of Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. In the sequels I understand he developes a sense of black humor so I can't wait to see them. I'm even thinking of skipping to "Freddy v. Jason" to see how a child murderer fights with a drowned guy in a hockey mask. Probably tonight I'll work on watching "Nightmare 2" or I'm thinking of "Dracula" with Bela Lugosi. I haven't seen the latter in a long time. Halloween is the best season for movies.

2 comments:

BC said...

OK I just want to say you're one of my favorite "followers" because you're a horror chick, your first favorite movie listed is Die Hard, and you apparently go to the New Bev. In short, you are awesome.

Also, if you're going to skip around the NOES series, I would highly recommend part 3. It's the only one (until 7) that Wes had any involvement with whatsoever, and its written/directed by the team who did the awesome Blob remake. AND it's the last time Freddy was scary.
BC

ACollinsVampire said...

Thank you so much, BC! It really means a lot when I get feedback, even if it's negative (which don't be afraid to say reviews suck).

I'll definitely watch 3 soon. I'm trying to go through all the Halloween franchise before Friday since I'll be going on the bus tour they're having in Pasadena. It's part of the 30th anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long.