In Defense of Freddy’s Dead: The (Nearly) Final Nightmare
I remember the first year Freddy Krueger was a Halloween costume. Many of them were homemade and the most basic, introductory versions of The Glove, which by now has become a character all on its own. In elementary school, I was too young to know who it was but aware enough to know the man with the sweater was terrifying. My initial NOES movie was Part 2 or Freddy’s Revenge on a random basic cable afternoon. Specifically, the scene where Jesse tucks his sister in. By this time, the Springwood Slasher was a phenomenon: There were late night ads for the 1-900 Freddy hotline ($1.95 first minute, $1.45 each additional minute). DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince delivered some hip hop horror with “A Nightmare on my Street” featuring Krueger himself. And of course, the anthology series Freddy’s Nightmares, hosted by Freddy a la the Cryptkeeper, which was also served as a de facto prequel/direct sequel to the first film.
In September 1991, a “funeral” was held at Hollywood Forever cemetery to commemorate what was considered the death of Freddy. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley declared the movie’s release date of September 13th to be “Freddy Krueger Day” and the pop culture comedy horror feast Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare was unleashed upon the world. Chapter 6 of our murderous saga is like A Nightmare on Elm Street in Oz.
13 years old with my pops in South Central L. A. at a onetime “movie palace”, single screen theater. From my recollection, it was my very first time watching any Nightmare film in theater and what an event that was. I still have that original set of 3D glasses we were handed on our way into the auditorium. Showcasing adverts for House Party II and Suburban Commando, there were the very specific accompanying instructions: Warning: Put these on only when Maggie does and experience the film’s final battle in “Freddy Vision”. I remember sitting in the balcony My first cinematic experience with 3D. The auditorium was loud and boisterous and kind of/rather exciting. The crowd, who provided plenty of live commentary, loved it and I did too. It was a technicolor, pop culture infused feast for the eyes. And the 3D sequence (which coincidentally plays best on Blu-ray in case you’re feeling inspired to give the movie another chance) blew my newly minted teenage mind. Dedicated horror fan since. Every town has an Elm Street!
If we’ve ever met in person, I have without a doubt talked about the undisputed Pope of Filth John Waters. Perhaps it I in part his filmmaking influence that endears this movie to me. Director Rachel Talallay began her career as a production assistant on the first Nightmare film and
You might say The Final Nightmare (as it was intended to be) is a Dreamlander production. Not in the conventional way of course. That vibrant technicolor touch in Freddy’s Dead is indirectly intentional. It is A Nightmare on Elm Street as pop art. Several crew members had recently worked on John Waters’ Cry Baby. New Line produced films like Pink Flamingos to Polyester (in Odorama). Initended to be john Waters star and muse, Divine. Tragically/Sadly, Harris Milstead passed away during the
“N0 screaming while the bus is in motion!”
Filming location in Glassell Park at the future sight of a certain game themed murderous thriller by the name of Saw. Only minor, brief views of 1428 Elm St. Childless Woman/Childless Man: Mr. & Mrs. Tom Arnold Tom & Roseanne Arnold, Ozzy Osborne, Yaphet Cotto, In a movie filled with legendary cameos, the most memorable of them all, belongs to our original Elm Street kid Glen, recreating his notorious PSA about the effects of drugs on your breakfast or something to that effect. In a similar fashion to Hitchcock, Bob Shaye has small parts in all of the Elm Street movies. NOES 6 is no exception as wee’re treated to a Bob Shaye in the role of
So stoned you cant; be awoken. The death of Spencer could be considered an anti drug message in itself. It’s not a boy. A concept we would see revisited in Freddy VS Jason: Don’t say his name, don’t talk about him and the ceases. 20 years later, the last of the fabled Elm Street Children has “escaped” Springwood, albeit with a nasty case of amnesia. Who is John Doe? And even more curious, in a town devoid of children, who are John’s parents? Fallimg through the skly, this is horror comedy in one of it’s finest and most entertaining incarnations. Like a Freddy movie for MTV’s Liquid Television.
Freddy doesn’t just kill these teens in deliciously evil manner, this one has an element of psychological horror. It’s an updated version of the terrors faced by the Dream Warriros. Psychological warfare he inflicts involves with the exception of John Doe, immersing the unfortunate teens into the abusive situations that saw them placed at the shelter.
Let us not forget that The Final Nightmare features what Robert Englund referred to as “his favorite kill” of the franchise. Poor Carlos. Whilst dreaming in a familiar house on Elm Street, we learn that Carlos’ hearing loss was caused by an abusive mother and relive the agonizing moment with him before his inevitable death by chalkboard. 32 years later, are spoiler alerts necessary? and one might even consider Robert Englund’s appearance a cameo appearance of sorts. In The Dream Master we see a maniac amongst the crowd of 100 that bears a striking resemblance to Fred Krueger, but in Freddy’s Dead we actually see the monster of a man in his original form the significance of seeing a pre dream stalking Krueger as we are treated to a glimpse into the idyllic, white picket fence life of Fred Krueger himself.
By no means is the movie without its faults. By nature, most horror is campy and imperfect while not necessarily plot or character driven. “It’s travelling time!” is one of the more cringeworthy quotes, The explanation of the Dream People “the ones who gave me this job” is equally a touch of cringe The introduction of and visual representation of the dream people/Demons. Clearly, they are meant to add effects during the last 10 3d minutes
“Yeah, well the map says we’re fucked!”
A childless carnival. Foreboding words from a husband to his distraught (delusional) wife, “You know they bring him!” From the townsfolk “Go away!” These runaway teens are not welcome. Roseanne Aka Ethel looks like she walked out of a John Waters movie onto a horror set. “This time I swear it’ll be different. This time I’ll be careful, and I’ll hide you better so that he’ll never find you!” I want my children back! Then suddenly in the distance we hear the long dormant bells tolling at Springwood High. Welcome to Freddy 101!
There’s the Looney Tunes-esque sight gag with the nail bed, the Wicked Witch of the West tornado scene, Iron Butterfly and The Power Glove cause “Now I’m playing with power!” Fun fact: According to Never Sleep Again (book/video), Nintendo refused to grant permission for New Line to refer to the Power Glove to which bob Shye promptly replied, “Fuck it! Use it. What are they gonna do?” The last of the Elm Street children. Enter Tom and Roseanne Arnold, reigning Kind and Queen of the tabloids holding court in outrageous behavior.
In some regards Freddy’s Dead is a prequel of sorts. A problem child since birth, treated to a tour through Freddy’s memories which include schoolyard taunts, self-mutilation and for a moment while in the guise of loving father, we feel a sense of pity for the man and his motivation. They took his child and so he systematically killed the children of Elm Street one by one until there were none. Of course, this is merely a ruse in his/an attempt to regain the upper, ahem, gloved hand.
The unabashed brilliance of Bob Shaye’s “fuck it” consequences later attitude provided the foundation for what is known as The House That Freddy Built. From producing the likes John Waters’ Polyester to blockbusters involving hobbits, his confidence unwavering, brought us arguably the genre’s greatest slasher. Freddy’s Dead is no exception to this title.
I remember the first year Freddy Krueger was a Halloween costume. Many of them were homemade and the most basic, introductory versions of The Glove, which by now has become a character all on its own. In elementary school, I was too young to know who it was but aware enough to know the man with the sweater was terrifying. My initial NOES movie was Part 2 or Freddy’s Revenge on a random basic cable afternoon. Specifically, the scene where Jesse tucks his sister in. By this time, the Springwood Slasher was a phenomenon: There were late night ads for the 1-900 Freddy hotline ($1.95 first minute, $1.45 each additional minute). DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince delivered some hip hop horror with “A Nightmare on my Street” featuring Krueger himself. And of course, the anthology series Freddy’s Nightmares, hosted by Freddy a la the Cryptkeeper, which was also served as a de facto prequel/direct sequel to the first film.
In September 1991, a “funeral” was held at Hollywood Forever cemetery to commemorate what was considered the death of Freddy. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley declared the movie’s release date of September 13th to be “Freddy Krueger Day” and the pop culture comedy horror feast Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare was unleashed upon the world. Chapter 6 of our murderous saga is like A Nightmare on Elm Street in Oz.
13 years old with my pops in South Central L. A. at a onetime “movie palace”, single screen theater. From my recollection, it was my very first time watching any Nightmare film in theater and what an event that was. I still have that original set of 3D glasses we were handed on our way into the auditorium. Showcasing adverts for House Party II and Suburban Commando, there were the very specific accompanying instructions: Warning: Put these on only when Maggie does and experience the film’s final battle in “Freddy Vision”. I remember sitting in the balcony My first cinematic experience with 3D. The auditorium was loud and boisterous and kind of/rather exciting. The crowd, who provided plenty of live commentary, loved it and I did too. It was a technicolor, pop culture infused feast for the eyes. And the 3D sequence (which coincidentally plays best on Blu-ray in case you’re feeling inspired to give the movie another chance) blew my newly minted teenage mind. Dedicated horror fan since. Every town has an Elm Street!
If we’ve ever met in person, I have without a doubt talked about the undisputed Pope of Filth John Waters. Perhaps it I in part his filmmaking influence that endears this movie to me. Director Rachel Talallay began her career as a production assistant on the first Nightmare film and
You might say The Final Nightmare (as it was intended to be) is a Dreamlander production. Not in the conventional way of course. That vibrant technicolor touch in Freddy’s Dead is indirectly intentional. It is A Nightmare on Elm Street as pop art. Several crew members had recently worked on John Waters’ Cry Baby. New Line produced films like Pink Flamingos to Polyester (in Odorama). Initended to be john Waters star and muse, Divine. Tragically/Sadly, Harris Milstead passed away during the
“N0 screaming while the bus is in motion!”
Filming location in Glassell Park at the future sight of a certain game themed murderous thriller by the name of Saw. Only minor, brief views of 1428 Elm St. Childless Woman/Childless Man: Mr. & Mrs. Tom Arnold Tom & Roseanne Arnold, Ozzy Osborne, Yaphet Cotto, In a movie filled with legendary cameos, the most memorable of them all, belongs to our original Elm Street kid Glen, recreating his notorious PSA about the effects of drugs on your breakfast or something to that effect. In a similar fashion to Hitchcock, Bob Shaye has small parts in all of the Elm Street movies. NOES 6 is no exception as wee’re treated to a Bob Shaye in the role of
So stoned you cant; be awoken. The death of Spencer could be considered an anti drug message in itself. It’s not a boy. A concept we would see revisited in Freddy VS Jason: Don’t say his name, don’t talk about him and the ceases. 20 years later, the last of the fabled Elm Street Children has “escaped” Springwood, albeit with a nasty case of amnesia. Who is John Doe? And even more curious, in a town devoid of children, who are John’s parents? Fallimg through the skly, this is horror comedy in one of it’s finest and most entertaining incarnations. Like a Freddy movie for MTV’s Liquid Television.
Freddy doesn’t just kill these teens in deliciously evil manner, this one has an element of psychological horror. It’s an updated version of the terrors faced by the Dream Warriros. Psychological warfare he inflicts involves with the exception of John Doe, immersing the unfortunate teens into the abusive situations that saw them placed at the shelter.
Let us not forget that The Final Nightmare features what Robert Englund referred to as “his favorite kill” of the franchise. Poor Carlos. Whilst dreaming in a familiar house on Elm Street, we learn that Carlos’ hearing loss was caused by an abusive mother and relive the agonizing moment with him before his inevitable death by chalkboard. 32 years later, are spoiler alerts necessary? and one might even consider Robert Englund’s appearance a cameo appearance of sorts. In The Dream Master we see a maniac amongst the crowd of 100 that bears a striking resemblance to Fred Krueger, but in Freddy’s Dead we actually see the monster of a man in his original form the significance of seeing a pre dream stalking Krueger as we are treated to a glimpse into the idyllic, white picket fence life of Fred Krueger himself.
By no means is the movie without its faults. By nature, most horror is campy and imperfect while not necessarily plot or character driven. “It’s travelling time!” is one of the more cringeworthy quotes, The explanation of the Dream People “the ones who gave me this job” is equally a touch of cringe The introduction of and visual representation of the dream people/Demons. Clearly, they are meant to add effects during the last 10 3d minutes
“Yeah, well the map says we’re fucked!”
A childless carnival. Foreboding words from a husband to his distraught (delusional) wife, “You know they bring him!” From the townsfolk “Go away!” These runaway teens are not welcome. Roseanne Aka Ethel looks like she walked out of a John Waters movie onto a horror set. “This time I swear it’ll be different. This time I’ll be careful, and I’ll hide you better so that he’ll never find you!” I want my children back! Then suddenly in the distance we hear the long dormant bells tolling at Springwood High. Welcome to Freddy 101!
There’s the Looney Tunes-esque sight gag with the nail bed, the Wicked Witch of the West tornado scene, Iron Butterfly and The Power Glove cause “Now I’m playing with power!” Fun fact: According to Never Sleep Again (book/video), Nintendo refused to grant permission for New Line to refer to the Power Glove to which bob Shye promptly replied, “Fuck it! Use it. What are they gonna do?” The last of the Elm Street children. Enter Tom and Roseanne Arnold, reigning Kind and Queen of the tabloids holding court in outrageous behavior.
In some regards Freddy’s Dead is a prequel of sorts. A problem child since birth, treated to a tour through Freddy’s memories which include schoolyard taunts, self-mutilation and for a moment while in the guise of loving father, we feel a sense of pity for the man and his motivation. They took his child and so he systematically killed the children of Elm Street one by one until there were none. Of course, this is merely a ruse in his/an attempt to regain the upper, ahem, gloved hand.
The unabashed brilliance of Bob Shaye’s “fuck it” consequences later attitude provided the foundation for what is known as The House That Freddy Built. From producing the likes John Waters’ Polyester to blockbusters involving hobbits, his confidence unwavering, brought us arguably the genre’s greatest slasher. Freddy’s Dead is no exception to this title.