A clever new malediction has come to Elm Street.

Rating: 8/10 (2 April 2004)

Based on a true story from the late 70's and published in the LA times were articles concerning young people were dying while in the grips of a nightmare. This is to be one of the freshest innovations of the horror genre of the 1980's. These articles detailed a particular young man who, after his death, was found to have hidden a coffee pot in his closet; utilizing caffeine as a means to keep him awake rather than facing his nightmares. He had even told his family that these nightmares did not "feel real." Written and directed by Horror Maven Wes Craven, this series took on a phenomenal success rate with this first installment in what later became the "Freddy Franchise." He incorporated a man from one of his early childhood memories in the characterization of his newest nemesis by giving Freddy the characteristics of this stranger who had frightened him as a child.
As a risky endeavor, this film turned out to be one of the surprising innovations in the slasher sub-genre of Horror. Indeed, this film was extremely risky for New Line, as they had a credit limit of around $100,000.00 and was forbidden by the bank to use a dime of that in film production and had to raise the money to begin production on this endeavor.
As a variation on the news paper articles, this attempt needed something which would bring in the ladies, to widen the target audience and give it a stronger feeling of reality. The element of "Beauty and the Beast" was written in and played upon in such a darkling twisted way that this film was pivoted into the horror movie Hall of Fame, so to speak, by recreating the modern myth of the ultimate battle between good and evil.
Another credit to this production is that it does not take itself too seriously. It pokes fun at the horror genre itself, thereby lending a solid reality base to the fantastical subject matter. Something which was also done in Craven's later slasher trilogy, "Scream." This vehicle does more than provide the element of humor, it also sets up the audience and commences the process of drawing them into the story by giving them various points with which they can relate to the lead characters. It also homages other horror greats, as many movies will later homage this one.
The character development here was extravagantly done. You felt like you knew them and thereby it mattered what happened with them. The process was never slow, tedious or boring, always drawing you in and making you feel like you were a part of the "team." Starring Heather Langencamp and John Saxon, this movie has the distinction of introducing Johnny Depp in his first screen role at the age of 21. While these performances were nothing Oscar-worthy, they were way above and beyond what the average movie goer would expect from a low budget teen slasher movie. It seems that Johnny Depp was destined for stardom as his portrayal, even then, was that of a polished professional.
The camera work here was creatively done, but the real achievement in this department goes to the lighting crew. The shadows and lighting choices here were an integral part of what created the incredible atmosphere of foreboding this movie held. Using split-mirror shots and an innovative eye for shadow and light, you never seem to notice the low budget aspects of this film. The liberal use of blood shows the audience that this villain is not afraid to get his hands dirty. Nay, he revels in it; hungers for it; exists for it.
The sets were realistically designed; the Thompson house felt like a home; the police station felt authentic and that boiler room...Great sinister feel, it had.
This movie had a beautiful element of suspense; dark and foreboding tension which builds with a rhythmic fretful crescendo to the climax.
But does it scare? I have to admit there are several scenes which made me literally jump. Some were predictable, but most were honest thrills.
All in all, while this is not THE best of the many horror franchises of the 1980's (That distinction goes to the Hellraiser run, in my opinion), it is definitely one OF the best, and second only to Hellraiser. (Some would class Halloween in here somewhere, but in all fairness, it was released in 1978 and therefore does not qualify as an "80's film."
This first installment rates an 8.4/10 from...
the Fiend :.