Halloween Diary - Freddy's Revenge (4/5)

 

I admit that I wasn't even going to watch a horror film today. I was dozing in the living room when my daughter asked me if we could watch "A Nightmare on Elm Street: Freddy's Revenge" (1985). Of course, I won't turn her down, since, as a dad, these moments are obviously special to me. This is the SYFY cut, so bare ass Jesse and Coach Schneider is blurted out. Freddy's invisible towel ass whipping and Grady jerking down Jesse's joggers on the baseball field are blurred...so if that is what you watch this for, the SYFY edit will disappoint you. I watch this movie and credit Lisa. Lisa is such a loyal friend. She was so into Jesse, bless her heart. Jesse denying who he is, while Lisa badly desires him...the relationship that isn't just tested by Freddy Krueger. Yeah, this and the first film are my summer Nightmare movies. The others I could watch anytime, really. As I mentioned before, this is the film that just feels the most "smalltown" authentic. I don't feel like I'm watching actors on sets. These are neighborhoods in Springfield I can totally buy. Even the first film doesn't really feel like some neighborhood in Ohio or Indiana, though I still think you can tell that "Freddy's Revenge" was shot in California. But I don't really have a problem with that, either. Smalltown California neighborhoods, a lot of sun, plenty of 1985 young people. Besides the pool party, though, this really doesn't feel like a body count Nightmare film. It is about Jesse and his inner conflict with Freddy. I felt that way tonight. But I think that might be a good thing. This really continues to stand out from the franchise. That missing Bernstein score and how Freddy operates within the nightmare realm just isn't a factor, so "Freddy's Revenge" really feels on an island. Still, I really think this second film, over the years, has become a favorite. It even surpassed Part 4 a few years ago on my favorite's list. And I can recall how when I first rented it in 1995, this was the last Freddy film of the first six I needed to see. It was a good while before "Freddy's Revenge" settled in. I like Jesse, Lisa, and Grady (and Lisa's quirky, chirpy friend, who is a lot of fun, but she just pops up every now and then). I would say this is the Nightmare film that really had school scenes that felt most like my own experiences in the 80s. I think that is why I connect to the second film.

Rating scale

5 - Love

4 - Really like

3 - Like

2 - Meh

1 - Nah