Original vs. Remake?
That’s a debate that rages throughout the horror community. The general consensus is that the original is better. I tend to fall on that side of things myself. Even when I like a remake (which happens quite often), I still usually prefer the original. I don’t have a long history with horror, so liking the original Nightmare on Elm Street over the remake has nothing to do with nostalgia, or any kind of “back in my day” speeches. To me – and most people – the original is just a better movie. I can like both, but I have to pick a favorite, and the remake usually loses.
But it doesn’t always lose. This remake is far superior to the original. The original just feels so slow and plodding, and never once really feels scary. Maybe it was different when it was first released, but it did not age well. It’s not a bad movie, but it’s pretty cheesy, and that’s hard to ignore.
The remake has some genuinely scary and unnerving moments, as well as Ryan Reynolds nailing the slow unraveling of George Lutz’s psyche.
I’m a big fan of this movie, and watch it every year around this time. It’s not true in all cases, but, in this case, remake trumps original.