Review of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) by Scotty P — 28 May 2011

Though it lacks the creeping sense of dread that made "Freddy's Revenge" such an outstanding entry into the "Nightmare on Elm Street" series, "Dream Warriors" makes up for that absence with a range of high-quality, imaginative, graphic imagery which would define the series until its early-'90s completion. And though Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) became more of a wise-cracking ringmaster of the nether-world's most macabre circus -- another factor which, for better or worse, defined the franchise until its sixth film -- he still retained his ability to disturb in this movie.

The Elm Street teens are still being hunted in their dreams by Freddy. Chief among them is new protagonist Kristin (Patricia Arquette), a troubled young woman who manages to meet similarly afflicted youths at a psychiatric hospital run by the baffled Dr. Neil Gordon. However, the young people band together and, with the help of Freddy's original nemesis Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp), try to learn how they can use their imaginations to battle their tormentor in the dream world.

With the reintroduction of Nancy and Donald Thompson (the always welcome John Saxon), "Dream Warriors" marks a satisfying conclusion to what one might call the loose trilogy comprising the first three "Elm Street" pictures. Freddy is -- once again -- defeated by film's end, but the manner of his defeat, the casualties resulting from the fight and the battle royale-nature of the final showdown are all bigger than any previous installment, signaling that there is no one scion who can defeat the ethereal monster; teamwork and support among those afflicted is the only way to combat Krueger.

Plus, it's hard not to enjoy a film where Freddy creates a marionette out of a teen by cutting open the tendons in his arms and legs, walking him around against his will, or transforms his iconic, knife-affixed glove into a handful of syringes to torment a recovering drug addict.