4K Blu-ray Review: A Nightmare on Elm Street

Synopsis: In Wes Craven's classic slasher film, several Midwestern teenagers fall prey to Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on the teenagers in their dreams -- which, in turn, kills them in reality. After investigating the phenomenon, Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) begins to suspect that a dark secret kept by her and her friends' parents may be the key to unraveling the mystery, but can Nancy and her boyfriend Glen (Johnny Depp) solve the puzzle before it's too late?

Main Features: Let's get the obvious out of the way: "A Nightmare on Elm Street" is a classic. Sure, it looks cheesy and can be played for laughs with today's audiences, but the concept and performances are truly terrifying and can resonate to this day. And with the recent 4K UHD release by Warner Bros., it looks and sounds great. It's got a B-grade movie feel, but whatever cheaper practical effects it has is made up for in atmosphere and tone. Freddy isn't the Henny Youngman of horror yep with sarcastic one-liner quips before his kills. He is a true demon haunting his victims. Much of that credit goes to Englund's ability to envelope himself in that mood and makeup, but also embracing what Craven set out to do.

Bonus Features: This set includes the original theatrical cut and the uncut version, both on the physical disc and the included digital code. The extras are standard fare: two audio commentaries on the theatrical version from previous releases; a video collage of behind-the-scenes and deleted footage; and docs about New Line Cinema's origins, making-of the film and Craven's inspiration. 

Final Call: "A Nightmare on Elm Street" is a foundational horror film for what exists today, inspiring new filmmakers to turn their dreams can become classic horror.
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Grade: A-