Freddy's Comin' For You!!!

Rating: 8/10 (21 October 2011)

Most of the time, dead teen flicks are pretty standard-issue. A deranged, masked killer slowly stalks a group of teens and picks them off in a variety of inventive ways. It could take place at summer camp, or in a mine, or any number of isolated locations. But along came this, Wes Craven's best and most demented. And with it, dear Ole Wes set out to do something a little different with the genre. A group of high school friends are having weird dreams about the same badly-scarred man in a dirty fedora, striped sweater, and a glove with razor claws. But what of it, they're only nightmares... right?! WRONG!!! See, it turns out that man is none other than Freddy Krueger. Years ago, back when he was alive, some parents burned him for being a child murderer. Now, he's back to attack their offspring in their dreams. As their numbers dwindle, a teen named Nancy chooses to try and fight Freddy. The script is pitch-perfect. So are the remarkable performances by Heather Langenkamp as Nancy and a young Johnny Depp as Glen, Nancy's boyfriend. And of course, Robert Englund as Freddy. He gives the role a true sense of menace. Unlike the sequels, this one at least treats Freddy dead seriously, with a wicked streak of humor. The elaborate death and dream sequences are some of the most imaginative. Half the time, you'll be wondering "Is this a dream or real?" Unfortunately, the ending is kind of a letdown. But apart from that, this is a solid entry in the dead teen flicks and should be required viewing for all horror fans. Just watch out, Freddy may be coming for you!!!