A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors

The return of Wes Craven and the first film cast of Heather Langenkamp and John Saxon in the third installment of the series helps raise “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors,” released in 1987, into a better sequel than the previous one (the wrongfully hated “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge). However, Craven’s minimal role as co-screenwriter if noticed from first minute to last as the horrors from the first film are replaced by comic book murdering.

Paul V. Wargelin stated in his review, “Hardly surprising now considering the film's director is Chuck Russell (THE MASK, ERASER), who also co-wrote the screenplay with Craven, Frank Darabont (the critically-acclaimed writer/director of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and THE GREEN MILE), and Bruce Wagner (WILD PALMS [TV]).”

It’s been six years since what happened in the first film. Kristen Parker, played by Patricia Arquette, is Freddy’s new target, and her nightmares have made try to kill herself (or did Freddy cut her wrists?). Wargelin said, “Placed in a hospital for troubled teens, she meets with fellow haunted insomniacs who are a mixed batch of Breakfast Club-style teens typical of late 80s movies.” There’s basket case Taryn (Jennifer Rubin), obnoxious wise guy Phillip (Bradley Gregg), stereotypical awesome black man Kincaid (Ken Sagoes), an aspiring actress Jennifer (Penelope Sudrow), Dungeons & Dragons fan Will (Ira Heiden) and mute, obsessed Joey (Rodney Eastman).

Everyone is under the supervision of Dr. Neil (Craig Wasson) and Dr. Elizabeth Simms (Priscilla Pointer). They psychiatrists don’t even attempt to help the inmates until Nancy Thompson, now a grad student in psychiatry, comes to the hospital. With her help, they find out that Freddy Kruegar has been resurrected to kill off the last of the Elm Street children, whose parents had burned him alive for child murder.

This time, the latest victims on the list have the upper hand. While sleeping, Kristen has the ability to bring other people in her dreams. Under Nancy’s leadership, the kids become “The Dream Warriors,” who can fight Freddy in his realm – and hopefully end him.

In the real world, Neil has been contacted by Sister Mary Helena, played by Nan Martin, who tells him about Freddy’s haunting past, and tells him that in order to kill Freddy, his body must be buried in the cemetery. Nancy’s father, Lt. Donald Thompson is the only person who knows where Freddy is buried – and his behavior, as reflected from the first film, stays one of disbelief.

The many collaborating writers explain why there’s so much going on in this film. Wargelin said, “The basic premise is what drew me in the first time I saw it, but unfortunately, the film never lives up to expectations.” The Dream Warriors never face Freddy as a team. They are separated and killed one at a time without too much trouble despite their powers.

Wargelin is right when he said, “The film also suffers from its stereotypical teen characters, as well as that of the closed-minded Dr. Simms. Watching her banter with her patients and undermine the efforts of Nancy and Neil makes one wonder how she got a job working with adolescents to begin with.” With that said, the screenplay still does give the characters a signature trait – Kristen paints dark works of art, Jennifer burns herself with cigarettes, and Phillip builds marionettes.

Filled with imaginative visual and special effects including Ray Harryhausen-type scenes including a claymation marionette and a skeleton, as well as Freddy using certain objects as a television set, someone’s veins and a bathroom sink to kill his victims, this movie deserves a high recommendation, including the fact that Laurence Fishburne is in here.

If you loved the first movie a lot, then this one will definitely be for you. People say that this is almost as good as the first one, and I can see why. It returns to basics and the characters are all likable. This one is a must see for fans of the franchise. You will absolutely fall in love with it.

Now the series is going to take a change in direction with the next few sequels. If you want to know what I mean, stay tuned tomorrow for the continuation of “Elm Street-a-thon” to find out in this year’s “Halloween Month.”