Not exactly a "classic," but a fun movie.

Rating: 7/10 (29 May 2001)

When I think of horror classics, I think more towards "The Exorcist." In fact I found some of the "Nightmare" sequels more amusing. But the original is still a fun movie. Just not one I would watch over and over again. And that's not because this movie scared me to death. In fact, I don't recall being terrified in the course of this film. However, that doesn't reduce the entertainment value.
Freddy's character was more developed in the later films, so this was merely an introduction to Mr. Krueger. The effects are really good, but when not trying to generate scares Wes Craven wastes time with corny teen subplots, with cheesy dialogue and acting. The other films in the series spent more time on the horror, so I think that's why I found them more entertaining.

"Nightmare on Elm Street" sets the parameters for the noted horror villain. As I said, this is not a classic. But it's a good popcorn movie to sit through for ninety minutes. And don't worry. The gore is not extreme, so you won't have to worry about throwing up in the popcorn.
My score: 7 (out of 10)