Horrorfest: "Well, the first one was but the rest sucked!" OR DID THEY CASEY BECKER????

FREDDY'S DEAD: THE FINAL NIGHTMARE
(Rachel Talalay, 1991)
Holy shit, this was directed by a woman?  Is this the only major horror franchise movie to be directed by a woman?  Pretty cool, I guess.  It's a very lifeless film, though.  Freddy's back to stalk the troubled teens that a counselor is looking after.  A counselor that ends up being Freddy's daughter.  Krueger gets some backstory here, which ends up being pointless because this is the most wise-cracking, least scary the knived monster has ever been.  The teens are very early 90's, which made me nostalgic for the films of my youth.  Most of the practical effects and makeup are fun in a cheesy early 90's way.  I'd still prefer that to an endless barrage of CGI and digital touchups.  This is also probably the least violent/gory of the series.  The last act was filmed for 3D and does have some amusing visuals.  Ultimately, the film just feels very flat and not scary at all.  It also boasts an inexplicable cameo by Tom Arnold and Roseanne, and a cool one by Johnny Depp  Breckin Meyer, a staple of 90's teen films, is the only noteworthy cast member.  GRADE: C


So, with that done, here's my ranking of the Elm Street films:

1. A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
Honestly, it's either this or New Nightmare.  I'll give the original the edge for its clever visuals, gory deaths (Johnny Depp!), and the way it dealt with how traumatic our dreams can be.  Essential viewing for horror fans!

2. WES CRAVEN'S NEW NIGHTMARE
Easily the best 7th installment of any franchise ever!  (And I really liked Halloween: H20!)  I want to put this at #1, because the meta angle really takes it to a whole other level.  The perfect way to revitalize the franchise: callbacks to the original, making Freddy terrifying again and a strong commentary on films' effects on not just the audience but the people that make them.  I often think this and Scream 2 are the best directing of Craven's career. 

3. A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS
Review here.

4. A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: THE DREAM CHILD
Review here.

5. A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET PART 2: FREDDY'S REVENGE
Review here.

6. A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER
Review here.

7. FREDDY'S DEAD: THE FINAL NIGHTMARE
Review above.

8. FREDDY VS. JASON
Granted, I haven't seen this since its theatrical release in 2003.  I remember it being pretty awful.

Note: I've never seen the 2010 remake, A Nightmare on Elm Street, starring Jackie Earl Haley, Rooney Mara and Connie Britton.