Finally.
We went to see the highly anticipated (by me) A Nightmare On Elm Street remake this past Sunday. I was going in hopeful yet skeptical. I wanted it to be great, but expected to be let down. Lets face it. The world of horror hasn’t brought us much in the last few years here.
If I’m remembering correctly there were only two previews…which was kind of weird. One of them was for one of those awful dance movies…and a 3d version at that. I think maybe it was called Step Up 3D. I was excited for the previews – it usually goes horror movie, horror previews. Nope. Not so much. The fact that they played a preview for a stupid pre teen dance movie kind of scared me and I automatically said ‘Oh, ok this is going to be like the Friday the 13th remake then, kills for fourteen year olds.’
We went at the earliest showing on Sunday, hoping there wouldnt be many people there. I guess we’re getting old, we don’t like crowds at the movies. The bigger the crowd the more likely there are people there that act a fool in public. There were two groups of people sitting in the row behind us, and the girls were pretty much only screaming and gasping with shock at parts that were taken directly from the original. It annoyed me that they had obviously never seen it. Maybe I’m a bit of a snob because I caught myself thinking ‘Why are you people here?’ Then I reasoned with myself ‘Oh come on, isn’t good to get more people into the genre? Calm down.’
Anyways. The movie was actually pretty good. After they killed off the first two sub par actors it was even better. Jackie Earle Haley was very creepy. They delved more into the backstory, which is the thing to do nowadays. People want to know why? now. The ‘thing’ to do is to delve into the creatures creation. This movie didn’t dig into Freddys childhood, but did focus more on the creation of his need to torture and collect these peoples lives.
Freddy was presented more as an actual villian…his dialogue doesn’t seem like a sarcastic perverted teenager that some could connect with this go round. There wont be anyone cheering him on as some did in the 80′s. Since the audience has been shown his past with these teenagers – it comes off more as what he is – a sick child molester. When and if you watch it, just remember how you laughed in the original when he says the classic line “I’m your boyfriend now.” The usage of the exact line in the remake, will make you grimace. I may have actually uttered “Oh, sick.”
On another note. I wish they wouldn’t have used as much CG. It wasn’t overkill or anything. I just like more actual effects in my horror. Whats wrong with a good old fashioned blood gag? I understand that CG is necessary, but certain gags can be done…for example…the stretch wall. I LOVE the stretch wall in the original. Simple to do, doesn’t cost a fortune. But they did the entire thing CG in the remake. You can see it here in the original trailer…along with the “I’m your boyfriend.” line.
I hope they make more, I hope they make them well, I hope Jackie Earl Haley is involved, I hope they do not ever decide to take the campy sequels route.
P.S. I missed my favorite line not being in the movie. ”Her name was Tina Grey.” That line catches me every time. I always wanted to start a band and name it Her Name Was Tina Grey.
