The careers of Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees – the horror icons at the center of the Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th series, respectively – have lasted longer than anyone would have guessed – long enough for this mercenary showdown in which the monsters take on each other. Freddy vs. Jason aims for some sort of nightmarish nostalgia, but it’s so poorly made it qualifies as neither horror nor camp. The title duo’s showdown is shoddily staged and shockingly unimaginative – though as gory as you’d expect – and the rest of the film is a steady series of gaffes. Some scenes randomly change from night to day, while there are other sequences in which the lead actress’ hair inexplicably changes from blond to brunette. Freddy vs. Jason is too true to the series that inspired it: it’s pure schlock.
