So what we have is a film within a film, with one group of actors playing characters in the real film, and another group playing their characters in the make-believe film. It's a nifty device that allows Craven to milk as much suspense from the formula as possible. The ploy works, and it's not long before Sidney and her friends face off one final time against the evil that has haunted their lives. The plot device also provides Craven and Kruger with the opportunity to spoof themselves, which they obviously have fun doing. There's more humor in this film than the first two, yet because of the parallel storylines, there is also more mayhem and murder.
Performances are inconsequential.
Kruger sets them up and Craven knocks them down. The rest of the cast is relegated to reaction shots, but they seem to be in tune with the spirit of the film. It could be, and that wouldn't be a bad thing. Craven and his gang justify the film's existence with smart dialogue, genuine chills and some camp appeal. Atmospheric films like horror movies are always a challenge, and the digital transfer isn't always up to it.