Sideshow Collectables Modern Horror Classic- Freddy Krueger New Nightmare
By Neil Beedie

1, 2 Freddy’s comin’ for you ! That’s the phrase that has kept audiences awake at night. Freddy Krueger is an icon around the world, he’s as big as it gets. “Everyone knows Freddy, he’s like Santa Claus!” Thus there was no reluctance to add Freddy Krueger to the modern Horror line over at Sideshow.

In 1984 the independent film from writer director Wes Craven brought a new angle to the genre, a man who stalks teen’s in their dreams. It was a major success and as with most horror films nowadays, its juice was squeezed and squeezed until there was no more money to be made (8 films all up including Freddy vs. Jason) but there was one in that particular series that finished them for good, a Wes Craven film to be exact, that was Wes Cravens New Nightmare. This film is considered by many to be one of the greatest sequels ever. Its freshness and creativity brought a new dimension in horror, placing Heather Langenkamp, star from the first, back in the lead and playing herself. The new re-vamped Freddy is darker and more evil, and enters the lives of the cast from the first. New Nightmare truly is astonishing and is not just a great horror movie but a great movie. So here is my review for the 12” Sideshow Modern Horror New Nightmare Freddy.

Packaging 5/5
Again and again, sideshow continues to produce the best boxes on the market. The front shows the figures head, inside flap has the poster and list of the cast. There is a short summary of the movie with screen shots. Then the figure is all tied down waiting for you to open him up from his cardboard prison.

Sculpt 5/5
This Freddy sculpt is probably one of my favourites out of the modern horror line. It has amazing likeness. It was sculpted by Brian Dooley who has sculpted many of the horror figures.

My only concern with the head is the smoothness and contrast between the burns. They seem to smooth and clean. This however may just be the paint ops talking.

Body Sculpt 5/5
This is one area that receives my highest praise, and it’s the boots. But firstly the hands. Freddy of course feature his all finger bladed right hand. The new design for the bladed hand in this movie was taken from the poster art for the first nightmare movie. It looks stunning and is a crucial part of Freddy’s appearance.

 

Now the boots are one of the coolest parts of this figure. It reaches nearly knee length and is one of the best foot wear ever produced by Sideshow.

Paint 3/5
This is one area that is a mixed batch. The face is fairly good, skin tones accurate and gloss used on the open flesh for a wet look. This works fairly well but it all looks too clean. The paint op on the hands are great, the blades look excellent. The boots are painted well but my main problem is the eyes.

In all due respect they look crap compared to what they should look like. The photo’s show Freddy’s greenish yellow eyes looking straight ahead. Even on the front of the box you see this but this is not so with the figure. His eyes are actually just two black dots facing off to the side. I’ve also heard that some pupils aren’t even the same size, so if you can I’d look out for that.

The paint ops are good in some areas but they’re just not as good as they should look because it could have looked so much better.

Articulation 5/5
Freddy has usual sideshow body with over 30 points of articulation. I have never had a faulty body from sideshow and all joints were secure. The only change is from the Classic Krueger where he had articulated fingers.

Accessories (Non Exclusive) 1/5 (Exclusive) 3/5
Freddy is very light on accessories, in fact besides the stand its zilch. However if you got the exclusive version he also comes with the tongue phone which is great. Unfortunately I couldn’t get it at the time. Although, last time I checked there were a fair few exclusive versions up for auction on Ebay.

Outfit 5/5
Freddy’s outfit looks great is tailored to sideshows best. The sweater is his infamous green and red stripes. The only problem here is that the sweater isn’t stitched red and green. It’s actually completely red and the green stripes are painted on. It doesn’t effect him all too much but it would’ve felt more authentic and real if they had completely stitched it. His pants are soft pleather and work very well. The jacket is tailored nicely and features the red and green stripes on the inside. Freddy’s hat looks great and fits on his head like a charm. Some also may feel that his sweater is to clean and bright, but a little bit of dirtying up could help that.

Overall 8.5/10
I was pushing for a 9/10 but I couldn’t quite do it due to the light accessories and some of the paint ops. But overall Freddy is a great character and they have done him justice with this figure. He looks excellent but the eyes will put some off. This figure is a great addition to any horror fans collection or any collector. 1, 2 Freddy’s comin’ for you. 3, 4 better lock your door. 5, 6 grab your crucifix. 7, 8 gonna stay up late. 9, 10 never sleep again…