Nice trailer. Must say it's brought my interest up some. Which is to say I went from having no interest, to some. Good Job, Platinum Dunes!
Originally I was under the impression that this would follow the model of the "Chainsaw Massacre" and "Friday the 13th" remakes and simply be a basterdization of the original concept and story. Kind of like "of course it's a Dawn of the Dead remake, it's got zombies and a mall!" This one appears to be a little more like an actual remake, which ironically is a new concept with all of these films. They remained faithful to Freddy's look, as the red & green sweater and filthy hat return. His origin* remains the same and he's battling Nancy Thompson** again. The reasonably iconic bathtub scene makes an appearence. Oh god, I hope the sledge hammer gag makes a comeback. However, I can't say I'm in love with the make-up effects. He looks more like a guy that got a face full of soot from an exhaust pipe, than a burn victim. Don't go stealing Moe's bit, Freddy.
I gotta say I'm a bit turned off by how seriously they're taking all of this. It's a fucking Freddy movie. True, the first one was serious, but does anyone remember that Freddy? No, we remember the wisecracking showman . I used to play Freddy in the school yard. He was in an NES game! I've seen and heard Freddy rap. As recently as six years ago (wow), this was the Freddy that appeared on screen. It doesn't have to be serious and epic. When you over think silly concepts, it can make them sillier. Just look at G.I. Joe.
A few years ago I might have said they were fucking with a classic. That was until I had to chance to go to a screening for the film in the far flung reaches of Staten Island. It was there that I discovered the awful truth... A Nightmare On Elm Street is just alright. It has it's quirky little moments here and there, but just becomes dull one or two times too often. Even Johnny Depp's midriff and random boobytraps have trouble keeping things together. It's an example of a concept being better than the execution. But there I go, over thinking it.
I won't have much longer to complain about this kind of stuff, they're running out of popular 80s horror franchises to reboot. I think only Hellraiser is left. Might be time to start picking at the 90s. How long before Wishmaster or god help us, Leprechaun get the Michael Bay treatment? Wow, the 90s sucked. I hope no one played "Leprechaun" on the playground.
*Apparently at some point he was raised by Alice Cooper.
**I remember her name, but not a single name of a living member of my father's family. Hmmm.
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