A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

 

After the fascinating yet bit out there sequel, this one picks up five years after the events of the first one and ignores the second. Not a bad thing, actually. In fact, this is often hailed as one of the best in the series and for good reason. Not only did it herald the era of the wisecracking Freddie but the story is engaging, the practical effects and visuals gloriously inventive and everyone is at the top of their game. Who knew you could do spooky horror right the third time around as well?

The attention is on several teens in a psychiatric ward who are all suffering from sleep deprivation because - quite simply - they are afraid of their dreams as one well-known figure haunts them there. Naturally, not a single one of the doctors present believes them. But when Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) joins the team as a doctor-in-training, things change and one of the lead physicians begins to doubt whether or not there is more to this story. This is especially the case after a couple of the kids die in bizarre ways, even if most people are delusionally trying to keep the 'suicide'-angle going, because why admit there might be something else going on, right? One of the teens, Kristen (Arquette), has the ability to pull other people into her dream and so a plan is hatched to put a stop to Freddie's killing spree yet again. 

While there may be a larger cast this time to up the kill counter, the characters are all so clearly defined and visually different that this is tons of fun. Kristen may be the blandest (Arquette doesn't get much to do besides scream) but she is the catalyst. Otherwise, who wouldn't remember the nerdy kid in the wheelchair or the more punky former addict (Rubin)? The kills and dreamworld are now also visually much more interesting as they now often move beyond a mere boiler room and it gives off the vibe of a haunted palace at a carnival. The hall of mirrors near the end is a good example. 

But what really steals the show is the creative ways of offing characters. Using a guy's tendons to turn him into a marionette? Smashing a television addict through a tv which is also Freddie's body? Replacing the knives on his hand with needles to inject the former addict? It's not only memeorable, it's actually clever. Not to mention that the effects are top notch and feel and look positively gooey at times. The giant worm-Freddie? Pretty impressive. The stop-motion that is near seamless when Freddie takes over a puppet? The needlemarks that act like thirsty mouths that need the juice? If you think about it, it is even better than I could possibly describe. And who could forget Freddie's quips? Maybe the best remembered is the ad-libbed "Welcome to prime time, bitch!" but it did kick off the point where Freddie would become the wise-cracking ghoul most people know him as today and it's obvious Robert Englund is having a blast with the character. It also deepens the lore as this is the first time we get some more background on him instead of just the fact that he was a murdering paedophile. 

Yes, sometimes people forget that little tidbit.

In the end 'Dream Warriors' is a blast from start to finish and one of those classic horrorfilms that stand the test of time. It might not be particularly scary, but it sure is inventive, visually interesting and just plain old fun. For your maximum enjoyment, maybe watch it with a friend.