Review of A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) by Martin R — 18 Oct 2012

Of all the films in the 'Nightmare series,' I saw this one last. I had even seen 2003's Freddy vs. Jason prior to watching the original classic. I didn't have a reason, I just didn't get to it (this film) because I enjoyed the sequels more (or so I thought).

Let me just add that despite having seen horror movies since I was 3 years old ("Wes craven's New Nightmare" being the first horror film I ever saw) the first Nightmare (this one) was the first film that actually made me jump.

Everything about this film is executed beautifully, with precise timing, and that's exactly how you make a great horror movie. Obviously, the plot takes form of the typical 'horror formula' that we've all seen before.

But there's something about the first Nightmare that really gets to you, perhaps it has to do with the eerie synchronized music, giving the film a rather terrifying atmosphere. Freddy Krueger (in this film) isn't your ordinary killer that you see sluggishly moving towards his victim, he's not the type of maniac who hides in the shadows--he's a demon from your worst nightmare--he's anywhere and everywhere when you're asleep.

Again, this isn't just a horror classic, it's a horror masterpiece. Perhaps the true terror comes from the "dream vs real" conflict that the film brings about, It's difficult to tell if the victim is asleep or awake, and that's where the bloodshed is born.

Never Sleep Again.