Review of A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) by Jason D — 27 May 2010

You just can't keep a good franchise down. Freddy Krueger returns in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master and he's aching to get back at the survivors (and last of the Elm Street children) of Part 3.

Things get started with Kristen Parker again (unfortunately, no Patricia Arquette this time around, but instead played by Tuesday Knight). Luckily, Ken Sagoes and Rodney Eastman had nothing on their plates, so they reprised their roles.

Anyways, Freddy comes back and makes quick work of them. Parker makes the mistake of bringing best friend Lisa Wilcox into her dream, thus allowing more souls for him to gather. As Freddy goes through his new batch of victims, Wilcox's friends, she begins to take in all of their special powers, thus slowly transforming her throughout the film from meek, homely quiet girl to badass heroic Dream Master, the ultimate weapon towards defeating Freddy.

Much like the rest of the films, the storyline is engaging, and the effects and deaths are a lot of fun to watch, including the infamous cockroach scene! While only moderately prevalent in the first 2 sequels, it's VERY apparent in this film that we're in full-blown 80's stereotype heaven.

Movie references to stuff like Karate Kid and Jaws, 80's metal, big hairdos, everything you could imagine. What's more, Freddy (the great Robert Englund; the ONLY Freddy) has gone from darkened, shadowy figure with sparing parts throughout to full-fledged character spouting wacky remarks.

Yes, we've entered campy 80's territory, but it's a blast to watch. There's a lot to enjoy in this entry, directed by a young Renny Harlin (who would go on to be a major action film director with stuff like Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger) who no doubt caught many an eye for his shamefully underrated horror classic Prison.

Overall, ANOES 4 isn't greatness, but it's a lot of fun and genuinely entertaining.