"A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge" (1985) Review

"A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge" is the 1985 sequel to the original film, written by David Chaskin and directed by Jack Sholder. This time, a new family moves into Nancy's house from the first "Nightmare" and a teenage boy named Jesse falls prey to Fred Krueger's machinations via his dreams. 

Unlike in the first film, Fred Krueger decides to persuade Jesse to kill for him by possessing his body. It's now up to Jesse's girlfriend, Lisa to come face to face with Fred Krueger and free Jesse from his clutches before it's too late.

Starring in the film, is Mark Patton (Jesse Walsh), Kim Myers (Lisa), Robert Rusler (Grady), Marshall Bell (Coach Schneider), and Robert Englund returning as Fred Krueger.

The giant elephant in the room with "Nightmare 2" is that it features a lot of homosexual connotations. From  Coach Schneider and his liking towards Jesse and Grady, to Jesse's embarrassing dance scene, and finally the idea that Fred Krueger is actually Jesse's homosexuality appearing despite his best efforts to conceal it. In this regard, "Nightmare 2" is quite appropriate as the 80s was a time when homosexuality was relatively a societal taboo. At the end of the film, the theme that love conquers evil is touched on--it's cheesy--but it was 1985.

What's important to realize is that when "Nightmare 2" was made, New Line Cinema (yes that one) didn't know that they had the makings of a franchise. Instead, the filmmakers jumped on the backs of the Universal monster movies, and made the monster the star of the show. So "Nightmare 2," while the rules of the first film are missing, is somewhat innocent on its own. 

The problem is that "A Nightmare On Elm Street" became a large franchise down the road. So in the grand scheme of things, "Nightmare 2" is an inferior sequel in the series. The possession motif doesn't work for "Nightmare," and the uprooting of the established rules really hurt this film.


The Good-

• Unintentional humor 
• Mostly good makeup effects by Kevin Yahger
• 80s cheese

The Bad-

• Cheese-tastic acting all around
• Throwing out of the "Nightmare" rules
• Some very odd, yet funny, scenes