Influential, tightly constructed shocker that redefined a genre

Rating: 9/10 (23 November 2005)

Wes Craven has made four films which have redefined the genre -- they are "Last House on The Left", "The Hills Have Eyes", "Scream" and "A Nightmae On Elm Street".
The grimy prologue of this influential shocker establishes Freddy as he constructs the glove he will use to murder and maim. Charles Bernstein's minimalist score provides a chilling, almost nauseating backdrop to proceedings.
As in the first "Friday The 13th", this film's villain may be the product of a deranged mind. A lurker in the subconscious, he exacts a gruesome revenge on those he holds responsible for his mutilated state.
The film, like Craven's best works (up to the excellent "Red Eye") is tightly constructed and filled with thought-provoking concepts. The use of signature sound effects such as Freddy's metal fingernails is a key to its success and subsequent injection into popular culture.
Actor Robert Englund, who had appeared in films for Tobe Hooper ("Eaten Alive") and Gary Sherman ("Dead and Buried") before this, is perfectly cast as Freddy and brings a twisted, sardonic humour to the role.
Certainly a watershed for horror, the film's sequels, unfortunately, manifested no understanding of what made this so effective and served up surreal special effects showcases instead.