Les Griffes du cauchemar

I've been a fan of Chuck Russell's films ever since his 1994 classic THE MASK. Each one of his movies have a strong amount of slickness and energy, especially A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS. It's one of the better 'ELM STREET' films in the series and was one of the cinematic highlights of 1987. Like THE LOST BOYS, which was also released in 1987, it has style, imagination, a good premise, and gore. It does have a few faults though. Some of the special effects are dated and look quite cheesy and the flick seems to rely more on blood than genuine scares at times. Also, while by no means terrible, Heather Langenkamp's performance is not quite up to par with her performance in the first 'ELM STREET' and NEW NIGHTMARE. Occasionally it feels like she's phoning it in. These faults don't hurt the movie too much. It's still a enjoyable horror picture that holds up relatively well today. It may not be as good as the first A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, but it's much better than most third installments are. I give it 7/10.

Totally appreciating and loving the original, I can understand why many fans hold it as the best in the series. But for me, Dream Warriors is the best for many reasons...

I think the top one though has to be that it was a childhood favourite!

With a much bigger budget than the previous two, this sequel went all out with bigger set pieces, bigger effects and a much bigger story including more history on Freddy. It brought back Nancy and her dad from part one, was produced by Wes Craven, and had a fresh new cast who were ready to rumble.

This came out when I was 10 and starting to be a big fan of horror films. It still scared the hell out of me but for the first time also let me see that Freddy could get beaten as the team of heroes found a way to control their dreams and be stronger.

This was important for a ten year old, especially as I was having dreams of Freddy myself and needed to find a way to beat him!

Thankfully, I did - and Dream Warriors became a film I would watch over and over, and still love to this day!

When a terrified teen named Kristen (Patricia Arquette) is been stalked by a killer in her dreams by the name of Freddy (Robert Englund). When she wakes up, without knowing that she slits her wrist. She been sent to a mental hospital for troubled teens. When a new young psychiatrist specializing in Dream Thearpy is by the name of Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp). When Nancy finds out that Freddy stills haunt the frighten teens and knowing what Kristen is talking about. Most of the teens are now dreaming about the killer in their sleep. Nancy and Dr. Neil Gordon (Craig Wasson) are helping the teens to fight Freddy back with their dream powers and their help.

Directed by Chuck Russell (The Blob-1988, Eraser, The Mask) made an excellent scary sequel, which is closer to the spirit of the original Nightmare. This film has excellent visual effects are the highlight of this one, which is done by Oscar-Winning effects house "Dream Quest Images" (The Abyss, The Crow, Total Recall). This movie has good clever plot twists and it has the best cast from the series, including:Jennifer Rubin (Screamers), Bradley Gregg (Fire in the Sky), Rodney Eastman (The Caveman's Valentine), Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix Trilogy), John Saxon (Enter the Dragon) and Priscilla Pointer (Carrie).

DVD has an strong anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) and an excellent digitally remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD also has the original theatrical trailer, Jump to a Nightmare Opinion and Cast & Crew information. On the "Elm Street" Series Box Set in the eighth disc. The DVD has interviews with the Cast & Crew, a Music Video and Bits moments from MTV with Englund's appearance as Freddy.

This was a much bigger hit than the previous two "Elm Street" films. This film has amusing cameos by Dick Cavett and Sza Sza Gabor, who play themselves on Television in a memorable scene. Englund as Freddy has some amusing memorable one-liners. Written by Wes Craven (The Hills Have Eyes, The Last House on the Left, Shocker), Frank Darabont (The Green Mile, The Majestic, The Shawshank Redemption), director:Russell and Bruce Wagner (I'm Losing You). From a Story by Craven and Wagner. Do not miss this imaginatively directed flick. (****/*****).

This is one of the best movies in the series. I like the first movie the best but this is probably number two to me. Great scares, Englund is fantastic as Krueger. The acting is good. Good writing. Everything you would hope for in a movie like this!

Dream Warriors is without a doubt the best Elm Street sequel. The first 2 dealt with just one main character against Freddy and everyone else thinking they're crazy. But of course, after a while people start realizing they're all dreaming about Freddy. And If he can use their dreams against them, they can also use their dreams against him. Brilliant!

This is where the deaths became more elaborate and Freddy started to spout out catchy one-liners. A lot of people resent this film for starting the whole 'joker Freddy' trend, but this has just the right amount of Freddy wit to still have him be scary and threatening, which really he is.

This is the most exciting, thrilling, imaginative Freddy movie of the bunch. You have to see it to believe it.

My Rating: 6.5/10