A Nightmare on Elm Street 2010: Film Review
I’ve not been sleeping too well lately. That was until I slipped on the Michael Bay produced remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Since then, I’ve slept like a baby.
This isn’t perhaps the greatest endorsement of a film which centres on the fear of slumber.
A Nightmare on Elm Street: Helps You Sleep Easier
Mr Bay’s production company is in the process of remaking every classic horror it can lay its hands on. With the odd exception, I’ve been largely under whelmed by the output.
True to form, this contemporary re-imagining looks as though it’s been dragged backwards through a petrol station. Each frame of the movie drips with oily colours.
Through the squint of strained eyes, I could just about make out what was going on and I can tell you, there wasn’t much.
A Nightmare on Elm Street: A Nightmare of a Movie
A Nightmare on Elm Street stays true to the majority of horror remakes, turning up the gore factor to 11. That’s not to say that the 1984 version was without bloody jolts. But director, Samuel Bayer, soaks his re-imagining in so much tomato sauce that it washes away the subtle subtext of the original.
The story borrows heavily from the Wes Craven version. A band of teenagers – yes they are attractive – all suffer from the same recurring nightmare. Deep within the surreal world of their dreams they are stalked by Freddy Krueger – a disfigured killer wielding a knife-fingered glove.
Riding the Surrealistic Horror Wave of the 80’s
Along with Hellraiser maestro Clive Barker, Craven reinvented the horror genre during the 80s. A Nightmare on Elm Street explored surrealism through an architecture of dreams.
Cast your mind back to the scene of a demented tongue bursting through the phone, or the long-armed menace of Freddy Krueger stalking his prey down a darkened alleyway.
Bayer’s remake restages a number of key moments from the first film, but the fantastical is quickly consumed by an overflowing blood bath.
A Nightmare on Elm Street is nastier than the original, but in all the wrong ways.
Freddy Krueger: Advertising Throat Lozenges
Jackie Earle Haley’s Freddy Krueger bears little resemblance to Robert Englund’s suitably over-the-top portrayal. Englund delivered an array of witty one-liners before making a porkpie out of his victims.
Haley, on the other hand, has little to play with. Consequently, the Bogey Man is dead.
And what’s with Haley’s vocal choices? He sounds like Christian Bail’s Batman, crossed with Barry White after smoking a 20 pack. His baritone is deeper than the Atlantic Ocean.
A Nightmare on Elm Street: Time to go Sleepies
The remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street was more disappointing than an empty Christmas stocking.
While it has a few jolts, it fails to pack the punch and invention of the original.
One thing’s for sure though: if you’re having trouble sleeping, A Nightmare on Elm Street will knock you out faster than a piano to the head.
Time to sleep…..zzzzzzzzzzzz
Rating: 
– available on Blu-ray and DVD
John
12:52 pm, August 6, 2010
I totally agree, this film made me fall asleep faster than being knocked out by anesthetic. It was so bad and for me ruined a good horror franchise!
Jane
4:32 pm, August 8, 2010
A wasted trip to the cinema. I’d rather have spent the evening doing the ironing – and I really hate ironing.
Nice review, got it in one.
Oliver
7:53 pm, August 8, 2010
personaly elm street scared me lots but i wasnt even born when the 1st one come out so i not even seen it yet. you funny, thanks 4 post.
natalie
6:51 pm, August 11, 2010
Sorry oliver but i thought it was the worst scary film i have seen in along time…..but i will agree with you on one thing ‘you funny’ lmao nice matt x
Ross Wheatley
11:49 pm, August 11, 2010
Yeah, I’m gotta go with Matt on this one Oliver. The remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street had few jumps or scares for me. If you aint seen the orginal Oliver you should. Its kinda dated now but still full of laughs and gore.
Oliver
12:06 am, August 12, 2010
The worst scarety film you av eva seen natalie? serously? Guess I am a big girl when horror films. still liked it loadas fun tho, just this ladies opinon.
Watch it again, may bee you like it more this time. Ross i add the 1st nightmare film to me lovefilm so i watch it and let you all now what i tink.
i scared already.
Olly
Ross Wheatley
2:18 pm, August 12, 2010
Good idea Olly, i’m looking forward to hearing your verdict on the original. Remember, don’t sleep at night or you might not get a chance to reply…
Rossy