Freddy Gave Me Nightmares

Rating: Null/10 (20 August 2002)

(POSSIBLE SPOILERS)
Despite being an adult when I viewed this movie, it scared the hell out of me and gave me a few sleepless nights.
The concept of this movie was brilliant-a maniacal killer back from the dead to haunt your dreams. Freddy Krueggar was evil personified and he was the ugliest horror villain ever having a face resembling an overcooked pizza.
Robert Englund excels as Freddy Krueggar. It was hard to believe that Englund played the mild mannered Willie in 'V:The Mini-Series' because in this film he was pure evil. Heather Langenkamp also did a great job as Nancy who was doing her best to stay awake to save her life. John Saxon and Ronee Blakely also played good roles.
The beginning of this film is truly creepy where one of Nancy's friends is butchered when Freddy gets into her dreams and kills her. How do you defeat a being who exists in your dreams and can not be killed by conventional means? You simply stay awake. However, staying awake can also lead to death eventually so you're pretty much stumped.
The ending is very creepy too. Nancy defeats Freddy (I won't say how) but the final scene is really scary as you realise Freddy is one dude who won't be staying down.
I happen to think this was a very symbolic movie telling us that dreams are only dreams and can cause you no harm if you don't let them. It's when you do let them cause you harm that the danger starts.
But, philosophical thinking aside, A Nightmare On Elm Street is a classic horror of the 80's and praise must go to Wes Craven and also to Freddy who carved his own niche.