Dream demon Freddy Krueger is resurrected from his apparent demise, and rapidly tracks down and kills the remainder of the Elm Street kids. However, Kristen, who can draw others into her dreams, wills her special ability to her friend Alice. Alice soon realizes that Freddy is taking advantage of that unknown power to pull a new group of children into his foul domain.
Robert Englund, receiving star billing for the first time, is delightful in his frequent incarnations as Freddy, delivering his gag lines with relish and making the grisly proceedings funny.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
26 Mar 2009
rotten:
Though the Elm Street series contains the most intelligent premise in current genre films, none of the movies take much advantage of their potential.
– Caryn James,
New York Times,
30 Aug 2004
rotten:
As always, the teen actors are disposable, and even Robert Englund seems to be sleepwalking through Freddy.
– Richard Harrington,
Washington Post,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
While some of the monotonous effects are strikingly surreal, Harlin's direction creates an atmosphere which is more morbid than scary.