www.nightmareonelmstreet.com
Warner Brothers
There have been many remakes or revisions as they have come to be called over recent years and the producers of the new A Nightmare on Elm Street have been responsible for a few of them; The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (2003), The Amityville Horror (2005) and Friday the 13th (2009). Unfortunately, where these three all seemed to work well with the adapted story and characters introduced, this is not the case for A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Set in the present day, the story is quite similar to that of the original. Freddy wronged parents, they take revenge and set him alight, he then returns many years later killing their children in their dreams. The main feature that has been changed and the major downfall of the film is the alteration of the image and persona of Freddy Krueger. Where he was a child killer in the original and returned in their dreams to kill those he never managed to all those years ago. The remake has turned him into an abuser of children. This completely alters your perspective of the character and what he has become. The name that once haunted you and put fear into your mind has now become a name of disgust, someone more sinister and sickening. Played by Jackie Earle Haley, his persona is now cocky and perverted rather than terrifying. There is no one but Robert Englund capable of carrying of this character and wearing the infamous Kruger glove.
When the original was first released back in 1984 it became legendary and is still considered one of the best slasher films of its time. In terms of plot, this one isn’t half bad. There is the repetition of some of the more memorable elements from the original such as Nancy’s bath scene, but there are also many new death scenes and menacing things going on. There are also new characters introduced, such as Nancy Holbrook, played by Rooney Mara. The character is loosely based on Nancy Thompson with a differing personality. The one to watch out for though is Kyle Gallner who plays Quentin. He brings a lot to of passion to the character and story.
If you dismiss all thoughts regarding the original character of Krueger, the film turns out to be a decent watch. However if Wes Craven had been approved to put his ten cents in, it would have likely had been an incredible addition to the franchise. It is nowhere near as terrible as the Halloween remake, but not as good as Friday the 13th.
Michelle Moore