Year of Release: 1987
Director: Chuck Russell
Starring: Heather Langenkamp, Patricia Arquette, Craig Wasson, Robert Englund, Ken Sagoes, John Saxon, Rodney Eastman, Jennifer Rubin, Bradley Gregg, Laurence Fishburne, Priscilla Pointer, Brooke Bundy, Ira Heiden, Penelope Sudrow, Clayton Landey
Genre: Horror
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5
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Synopsis and Review:
The third chapter for the Freddy Kruger series marked the return of Wes Craven to the franchise he originated, but was also the debut for a few of the team members, namely director Chuck Russell (who would go on to direct "The Mask", among other features), writer/director Frank Darabont (who went on to write and direct "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile", to name but a few) and acclaimed actress Patricia Arquette. The film resumes the Freddy mythology, previously set forth in the original film, focusing this time around in the few remaining teenagers on Elm Street, the descendants from the parents who originally killed Freddy. These kids are all in a local mental institution, since they are dealing with issues, including substance abuse, self harm, among other issues. They are of course also terrified of their dreams, something they explain repeatedly to their caretakers, who simply think they're being overly dramatic in their statements. Into the Institution comes Kristen, a teenager who has the ability to bring people into her dreams, and eventually Nancy Thompson, now a doctor in training, who of course managed to escape Freddy's lethal attacks, and still does so by relying on a drug that suppresses dreams. Before she has a chance to get the kids to take the medication, Freddy starts his killing spree, with Kristen and Nancy championing and defending the group, while some other members try to eradicate Freddy's menace with a different plan.
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" was a return to the mythology Wes Craven created in the first feature, this time around fully embracing its B-movie nature, while simultaneously amping the humor and the horrific parts of the killing of the teenagers. It's also a film that doesn't take itself too seriously, inserting some really interesting visual flourishes, even if the narrative itself is somewhat expected. While the first film had some nuance and ambiguity into what was reality and a dream, this one sheds that aspect, and goes for over the top humor, mixed with some gruesomeness, which makes it more salvageable and ultimately entertaining. It's also from the whole series, the one with the most recognizable cast, including Patricia Arquette, making her debut, and in supporting roles Craig Wasson (from Brian de Palma's "Body Double"), Laurence Fishburne and Priscilla Pointer, and of course Robert Englund, clearly having more fun on this one, not to mention cameos by Dick Cavett and Zsa Zsa Gabor. The overall team also featured the fantastic Angelo Badalamenti on the score and Greg Cannom on the makeup effects. While not as indelible as the original, it's still a solid and entertaining sequel.
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