Nightmare on Elm Street

The Bouw-Man Review.

It’s always “hit or miss” when you try to reinvent a once successful film franchise.  Obviously it worked out well, at least financially, for “Halloween,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Friday the 13^th,” so why not try it with an updated “Freddy” installment.  The trailer indicates that they will scrap, for now, the humor and silliness of some of the later “Nightmare” installments and rely strictly on thrills and gore.  It remains to be seen if Jackie Earle Haley will have the same iconic value playing the main character as Robert Englund, but it appears he will play him in much more darker way.      

Film should have significant appeal for teenagers, college kids and older connoisseurs who want to have a good, cheap scare. Horror films are usually a good bet to bring home substantial box office receipts, and with a strong brand name such as this, it’s almost a slam dunk.  Look for a strong opening weekend leading to an eventual collapse after just a few weeks.  Prediction for opening weekend: $27.5 Million.

Noodles' Review.

I thought the original 'Nightmare' was really cool. It was kind of scary, very original, and a little gory. Of course with every sequel the series became more horror/comedy with our beloved nocturnal psychopath slashing teens and welcoming them to "Prime Time Bitch!" 

This time it looks like they went back to the well and produced a darker Freddy Krueger/Rorschach version. I ain't mad at them though. This looks like it might be pretty good, all things considered. In the case of these remakes of classic 80s movies you almost have to disregard the source material and take the new on its own merits. God, am I really old enough where a movie made when I was a kid is a considered "classic"?

From the very beginning of this trailer I nearly jumped when the first guy gets his hand sliced, and if they kept on the pressure and suspense throughout this thing its probably going to do well. There are too many 'Nightmare' fans that will be unable to see how Micheal Bay either ruined a horror icon or reinvigorated a beloved franchise. Plus you don't have anything out right now to compete with this one. My guess is it will own the weekend at #1, (hardly a feat when up against 'Furry Vengeance') which the previews for the following week will tout like its Oscar buzz. $27 Million by Monday morning or bust!


KB's Review.

The preview makes this movie look pretty good. I have reasonably high expectations. Jackie Earle Haley (Rorschach from the Watchmen) was an inspired choice for Freddy. It showed that the people who made this movie were more interested in picking the right person for the role rather than pulling a Joel Schumacher and casting a famous name who'll fill the seats, but sucks as the character he's playing. That bodes well for at least the quality of the movie. However critics are notoriously hard on horror movies. Unless it is an Blair Witch-like indie film it won't break 50% on Rotten Tomatoes.

This movie will appeal to lovers of the original and a new generation as well. And let's face it, folks like to be scared and no one does it better than a boogieman who kills teenagers in their dreams. It'll make big bucks

Predictions: 2.5 stars, 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, Opening Weekend: $50 million