Rated R for strong bloody horror violence, disturbing images, terror and language
Starring: Jackie Earle Haley and Connie Britton
Directed by Samuel Bayer (First feature film)
My only “nightmare” was actually having to watch this.
A group of suburban teenagers share one common bond; they are all being stalked by Freddy Krueger, a horribly disfigured killer who hunts them in their dreams. As long as they stay awake, they can protect one another… but when they sleep, there is no escape.
I remember seeing the original as a pre-teen…and being scared out of my mind. I also remember them making a whole bunch of sequels…and none of them living up to the original (including Freddy vs. Jason). If you remember the original then you will recognize some very familiar images…like Freddy’s “claw” coming up out of the water in the bath tub and that creepy, “One, Two, Freddy’s coming for you” song. But besides Jackie Earle Haley replacing Robert Englund; the claw, the sweater, the fedora and the story are all the same. This is one remake that really did not need to be made.
Plain and simple…this was a cash cow.
On a positive note, I was actually surprised that there were no sex or nude scenes. And unlike the Rob Zombie Halloween remakes and the recent Friday the 13th remake, the violence was a lot tamer than I expected.
But it wasn’t enough to get a higher score that Skip It.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Even though it was cleaner than most horror films, it still has an R-rating and it should be a no for most teenagers.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: The ugliness of revenge. The parents take revenge on Freddy and he takes revenge on all their children. Talk with your student about how Freddy’s physical features mirror the ugliness of his sin.
Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: Romans 12:18-20 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. 20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: We need to practice the kind of grace, love and forgiveness that Christ has shown us. Discuss some practical ways to do that this week.
