The Dream Master (1988)

Tagline: You shouldn’t have buried me. I’m not dead.

Curiosity: Eh, who am I kidding? At this point I’m just watching this series because I said I would.

Plot: While Freddy has been dead and buried for some time, Kristen (now played by Tuesday Knight, taking over the role from Patricia Arquette) can’t shake the feeling that he’s due for a comeback. Given that Freddy’s powers stem from people’s belief in him, it’s kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Anyhoozle, Freddy returns and slaughters all of the surviving kids from Dream Warriors, including Kristen. But before she’s burned alive, she passes on her dream powers – advanced gymnastics and the ability to pull people into the same dream – to her friend Alice (Lisa Wilcox). Unfortunately, Alice can’t control these powers, often pulling people in by accident, much to Freddy’s delight. As long as he lets Alice live, he has an instant meal ticket. However, er’rytime Freddy offs a kid, Alice absorbs some of their abilities, making her his effective opposite.

Thoughts: Excellent premise; shitty execution. The Dream Master brings some refreshing ideas, like renewing the bit about Freddy’s power stemming from people’s fear of him. He has the most at stake in this installment, since killing is a survival method as well as a sadistic pleasure. Alice in turn makes for an excellent balance. And her brother Rick (Andras Jones) knows karate and listens to Billy Idol! HE IS SO COOL AND I LOVE HIS HAIR.

Rick, Rick, Rick.

So yeah, the ideas are there, and it’s compelling to watch the new characters attempt to learn what we the audience knows by this point. Sadly, the accompanying picture ain’t too bright. Maybe it’s because I’m been doing this Elm Street marathon all week, but major inconsistencies are starting to pop up. Dates don’t synch up with the previous films. Nancy’s house from the original film, which Freddy still uses as a sort of base of operations, has been changed arbitrarily – I’m talking moved staircases and incorrect window shapes. I hate to get all continuity error here, but it’s distracting. Further mistakes – incorrectly synched dialogue, a curious lack of blood – make the movie kind of a chore to watch, although the final confrontation between Alice and Freddy is cool, even if it doesn’t entirely make sense.

Reflection: Rick and I are going to make 400 babies. <3