MY MOVIE RATING: ***
Well I went to see this movie two days after it was released to the public, and I was expecting more than the original film dated in 1984. With the first Freddy, character portrayed by Robert Englund, and having that image in your mind for all those years of watching these Freddy movies, I thought it would be just like the 'good old days'. This new Freddy, played by Jackie Earle Haley, would really take some getting used to. It basically took us back to how this story came to be. Showing and telling us how Freddy was killed and for the reason he continued stalking all the children that were connected to his terrible fire burning death. I don't know how sensitive some are when it comes to horror films, but I had a wonderful rest that night. For those who fear the dark, I suggest watching this with several people, during broad daylight should help. This is definitely not for those who don’t do well with anything scary. What was the interesting thing about it, there weren’t any real reactions from other movie goers. A couple people jumped at times when things were a bit intense.
A new cast with great horrifying scenes, about a few adults who soon found out they knew each other earlier in their lives. Parents trying to keep what happened in the past from coming alive, again. The parents wanted what happened to their children to be a buried memory, and they kept a secret for about 18 years. The children went on with their lives until they reached adulthood. That’s when all the nightmares began. The experiences they had in midst of sleep seemed more than just a dream. From the moment they awoke, with the same fresh cuts or bruises from their dream, they came to realization that it was real. Discussing their nightmares amongst their friends, only to discover they’ve all experienced something similar. A few died in their sleep, police officials claimed it to be suicides. Two characters even witnessed the death of their friends in their sleep. Even though no one else was around to do those killings, it happened without much force.
After watching those experiences happening to their closet friends, they feared to ever go back to sleep. Popping pills to stay awake and fighting sleep, they tried to be as functional as possible. With circles and bags under the eyes, plus dealing with insomnia, they try to find out how to defeat Freddy. Learning that getting no sleep beyond three days, your brain shuts on to auto-pilot. You begin to take micro-naps or begin sleeping while being wide awake. Out of six main characters, two had to discover any way possible to end this little war between Freddy and them. They go back to daycare (since it keeps re-occurring in their dreams). Believing there is evidence of some sort to get an understanding of why the dreams keep happening, they find clues. Suggesting to each other the only way to defeat Freddy for good is to go to sleep and bring him into the real world.
Overall, this movie receives the rating I gave and by the looks of things, it definitely won’t be the last movie. The ending really imprints the thought of another movie, by leaving us movie-watchers with a cliffhanger. I personally enjoyed it. It’s not something that I would give 5-stars for, but it wasn’t worth 2-stars either. The new Freddy definitely doesn’t compare to the original one, but he did a great job. But don’t think we won’t hear about a continuation. You know, as long as the producer, film writer and director keep making new movies, us movie goers will keep going to see it, or by it to watch at home. And for those who still didn’t get a chance to see it, you can catch it on DVD and Blu-Ray!
