Tag: Lisa Wilcox

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD (1989)

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Directed By: Stephen Hopkins 
Written By: Leslie Bohem
Story By: John Skipp & Craig Spector 
Based On Characters Created By: Wes Craven
Cinematography: Peter Levy 
Editor: Chuck Weiss & Brent A. Schoenfeld

Cast: Robert Englund, Lisa Wilcox, Kelly Jo Minter, Whit Hertford, Danny Hassel, Erika Anderson, Nick Mele, Joe Seely

The pregnant Alice finds Freddy Krueger striking through the sleeping mind of her unborn child, hoping to be reborn into the real world.

Despite as always some impressive special effects and death sequences. The film still feels rushed. there doesn’t seem to be as much thought out into this sequel. So that it comes off as rather bland and almost just another sequel. 

Though it should feel like an important entry into the franchise. It feels like a clear sign of it dying out, especially of any fresh ideas or originality. 

The film has a good concept but officially moves into the realm of feeling like just another sequel. As it doesn’t have any particular character of itself. It lacks identity and feels undefined so It feels like more of the same. Almost the continuing adventures of. 

The story feels simple yet overly convoluted for no reason. As it delves a little deeper into the origins of Freddy Kruger and the franchise’s own mythology. 

It does show the horror Amanda Kruger went through. Fleshing out Freddy’s back story offers another plot of how he can get himself into the world. Being reborn in another body that feels a bit CHILD’S PLAY inspired.

At this point from an observation perspective, you do have to be amazed that this town still had kids. Not to mention the amount. Do people still hang out with the main character, the final girl of the last film. Though they quickly dispatch the final boy survivor of the last film. Even as his death scene is one of the more impressive special effects-wise.

Though this film seems to have fewer victims. Due to more story, investigation, and plot that come across as filler. That seems to be kind of riding a theme of there being even a young child being involved and being influenced so that there would be a new Freddy Kruger. 

The film unfortunately feels like for the most part it is going through the motions and isn’t as creative as it believes itself to be. Though I am thankful that the film does have a person of color who makes it to the end.

The death count also seems smaller than in previous films. As again the death seems to want to be more set pieces and intricate themselves. More than just random or throwaway 

GRADE: C

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER (1988)

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Directed By: Renny Harlin
Written By: Brian Helgeland & Scott Pierce 
Story By: William Kotzwinkle
Based On Characters Created By: Wes Craven
Cinematography: Steven Fierberg
Editor: Chuck Weiss, Jack Tucker & Michael N Knue

Cast: Robert Englund, Lisa Wilcox, Tuesday Knight, Brooke Theiss, Toy Newkirk, Duane Davis, Rodney Eastman, Danny Hassel, Ken Sagoes, Nicholas Mele

Freddy Krueger returns once again to terrorize the dreams of the remaining Dream Warriors, as well as those of a young woman who may be able to defeat him for good.

This sequel was inevitable and had eliminated its link to the past by eliminating the known Survivors of the previous films. This film tries to start anew, by in turn eliminating the survivors from the previous film, quickly.

Unfortunately, actress Patricia Arquette doesn’t reprise her role. So it is recast (one can see why she decided not to come back as she wouldn’t have been around too long or maybe it was rewritten when she decided not to return) 

The main character is around long enough to pass on the torch to the new lead or new final girl of the franchise. As soon as all those around her. Particularly those close to her soon find themselves being inventively dispatched. As she slowly learns to control and use her powers.

The films already lose their spontaneity as Freddy never seems to strike at random but instead always goes after only the main character’s inner circle. Which here is explained away as, since the power she has been passed allows her to bring others into her dreams. It sets up more victims for Freddy. Even though it seems like she only really does this twice.

Again this film is kind of a rebirth. We have another new director Renny Harlin directing this film and offers for the time a more stylish and cutting-edge film. That matches the times MTV editing.

The deaths stay inventive and over time it seems that is how you remember each film by the kills which could almost be themed. Here we have a death In which the character is trained in martial arts and fights Freddy using them only Freddy is invisible.

It’s a modern touch for the time period and even though a bit silly. Matches the theme of teenage dreams and how silly they can be as they feed off the unconscious mind of the participant. Onto what Freddy does is indulge and offer a physical and deadly punchline. As well as a pun to end it on 

While the film tries and certainly has energy. As this is only the second of the sequels where Freddy goes from being scarier. Into a more wisecracking villain. Where the whole point of the films is to give the audience the inventive violence they want. Satiate their bloodlust but be inventive with it. 

This film is unfortunately a step down from part 3. Though it does try and manages to have its own identity. As this film comes off a little more sarcastic and seems more special effects-laden. 

Grade: C+