Well it's been a long while since I went to see this movie, but I have been quite busy lately. Anyways, let's begin on this review. I honestly admit that this wasn't such a bad film, and I prefer this over all the sequels that this franchise has made (especially Freddy's Dead, but Freddy's Revenge and New Nightmare were decent, and Freddy vs. Jason doesn't count in my opinion). Although the problems I had was too many jump-scares, which wasn't a totally bad thing, it did took over the top at times.
But the jump-scares were set up nicely, but other than that I didn't feel scared of the main antagonist. When I watched the original movie for the first time, call me a pansy or not, I felt scared of Freddy Krueger. Just the idea and concept that he kills you in your dreams and you die for real is really frightening. In this movie it just feels like you had seen it before, and you feel no remorse for the main protagonist.
Speaking of protagonist, they could've done it a lot better. At least in the very first and original 'Nightmare' movie, we had a sense that Nancy was going to be the main character from beginning to start. In this movie they made Kris (Katie Cassidy) seem more like the heroine in this movie from beginning to middle, up until she died. Spoiler? Eh, you seen it coming anyways. And from the point she dies, Nancy (Rooney Mara) fills in the void as main protagonist for the rest of the movie. I mean c'mon, they should've given us a hint she was going to be the main character in this story. Just giving her the name 'Nancy' isn't going to cut it.
By the way, this Nancy is not the same Nancy from the original movie. Although same first name, but different last names. That's right, they changed her last name. Eh, oh well, it's not big deal to me. And the premise of the plot is way too similar to the original movie. I know this is suppose to be a "remake" or "reboot" and all, but come up with something original! It's not that hard, you can ask me for help next time. And trust me folks, this movie set up for a sequel. Hint: Cliffhanger at the end of the movie...like always.
Enough about the protagonists, I want to bring up what we all payed to see: Freddy Krueger. But this time he's played by Jackie Earle Haley from "Watchmen" and "Little Children", as well the hit-TV series "Human Target". For 8 films with Freddy Krueger has been played by Robert Englund, who (and everything else would agree) still is the best and the only Freddy for me. Jackie did a decent job, but it must've been the script for why his dialogue is poorly written. I mean c'mon, using the same lines he said in the previous films? Was that the best you all can come up with? Geez, might as well have the claw reach out to Nancy from between her legs in the bathtub like they did in the original movie *watch movie, the same exact scene is there* I rest my case.
Although over all Jackie didn't do a bad job at all, and in fact I like the way the origin was told in this movie, and how different it is from the original movies. But really...? Does he have to be a child molester? Eh, oh well, it kinda makes sense. And the opening sequence was very original, and very well put together. And the way Jackie delivers the lines were really well played. But, it was strange to me from beginning to middle he was all serious until from middle to end when he starts cracking up jokes. What is it Mr. Director, did you run out of ideas, or did you tried to please the fans?
And by the way, Rooney's performance as Nancy was so dull and boring. I didn't care for her at all, I just wish she could've gotten killed off. Kris was more interesting, and I don't know what was everyone's problem with Katie's performance. I thought she did a good job, if not perfect. Thomas Dekker (John Connor from the TV series "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") did a good job too, and I like how his character was similar to Nick Corri's role in the original movie. Kyle Gallner as Quentin was a nice performance too, and in my opinion was the better role in the whole film. Nancy's dad was never shown in this movie, which disappointed me, and her mother was undeveloped, and when you find out she has connections to Freddy's death it just feels like it came out of nowhere and has no point, but I guess they did it for plot twists.
What I really like in this movie is the style and lighting and texture. It really brings your nightmares to life. But in some of the dream sequences could've been a lot better, but had a great build up to towards suspense.
I really like the mystery behind this dream killer, and what the protagonist had to do to stop him or it. But it kinda dragged on a lot, and I felt really bored. Plus, I didn't mention this before but some of the jump-scares made me laugh. That's kinda sad...for this movie in this case...
So what do I think of this over all? Not so bad, but not so great. It could've done a LOT better with the plot and some of the pacing, but over all it's worth a watch. But I don't think this film is for the fans. I think they're still in the mourn over the fact that Robert isn't back as Freddy, or they just hate the fact that there's a remake. Well it was going to happen one way or another, right?
I think I have other problems with this film, but I can't think of them right now. But I really enjoyed this film, and I think you all should see it when you get a chance. Trust me, it's not as worse as "Freddy's Dead". But hey, anything is better than that movie. Am I right?
Well that's all from me. Thanks for reading.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
