‘Freddy vs. Jason’ is a nightmarishly good time

“Freddy vs. Jason” is the eighth movie for the “Nightmare on Elm Street” series, the eleventh for “Friday the 13th” and probably the last for neither. However, if filmmakers can do this well in bringing back a usually creatively bankrupt genre, just for two of its legends to brawl, then maybe there’s hope.

I’ve never been a fan of either series—though “Nightmare” has a few choice entries and last year I gave “Jason X” a good review—but “Freddy vs. Jason” proves that there’s something to be had in this long-anticipated crossover, and I’m left wanting more.

In this corner, wearing the charred red and green sweater and finger-knife glove, is Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), the ghostly killer who stalks his victims at their most vulnerable: in their dreams. And in this corner, wearing the beat-up hockey mask, is Jason Voorhees (Ken Kerzinger), the machete-wielding maniac who rises from the grave to cut up any teenagers foolish enough to smoke weed or fornicate on his home turf of Camp Crystal Lake.

Freddy is upset; since he was killed off in his last flick, the citizens of his hometown of Springwood have discovered they can banish him by erasing him from their memories. A new generation of teenagers has grown up on Elm Street, wholly unaware of the child murderer. To bring him back to the minds of youngsters and return his power, Freddy implants a dream in Jason’s mind, coaxing him to come to Springwood and perform his slice-and-dice routine to convince everyone that Freddy’s back. Of course, Jason follows suit, but Krueger can’t pull the strings forever, and Ol’ Hockey Puss rebels.

Who will win the battle for the ages? It’s hard to tell, but needless to say, a lot of teenagers are going to get in the way of a lot of bladed metal.

Critics have been complaining from the very start, rightfully so, that these kinds of movies have always lacked proper plots and fleshed-out characters. “Freddy vs. Jason” does deliver a plot, but unfortunately, it’s far too late in the series for this. We’ve come to accept the fact that these movies are plotless, and we want to see Freddy and Jason duking it out, and not so much of the teenagers they’re stalking.

What do I care about the problems of John Ritter’s son or the chick from Destiny’s Child? Their acting is certainly acceptable, and their presence does serve some positive purpose to the film, but there’s way too much of these people. But fear not, moviegoers. The big boys definitely get their licks in at the right times, and their antics keep the fun and pulse-beating action high throughout the film.

Real filmmaking talent is involved: horror veteran Ronny Yu is probably the best “Nightmare” director since Wes Craven as well as the best “Friday” director, period (not that there’s much competition there).

Is “Freddy vs. Jason” frightening? No. Both of these franchises ran out of scary steam long ago. Regardless, this entry rarely tries to frighten in the first place, preferring to concentrate on pleasing the audience with its two biggest stars. “Freddy vs. Jason” is a supreme thrill ride, as long as you know exactly what you’re in for.