Buoyed by Wes Craven’s strong screenplay, sure-handed direction by Chuck Russell and a compelling cast of characters, this second sequel to Craven’s 1984 classic is much stronger than one might expect. The nightmare sequences are brimming with imagination and brought to life by impressive practical effects, while all the characters are likable and well-acted by a group of largely inexperienced but sincere performers. In addition this is where Freddy Krueger himself becomes a one-liner-spouting killing machine and it’s the perfect continuation of the Krueger story, allowing Robert Englund to finally deliver on the star-making malevolence he deployed conservatively in the first two movies. This is one of the finest entries in the long-running series.
Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)
