When you think of iconic horror movie characters, the same names always crop up - from the old school monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein in the 1930s, to Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees in the late 1970s. One thing that these roles share is that they are not tied down to one particular actor - Myers and Voorhees hide behind masks, and there have been many incarnations of Dracula and Frankenstein. However, when it came down to another horror icon - the dream stalker Freddy Krueger - the fans were always solidly behind Robert Englund in the role. He brought the character to life with expression, both facially and vocally, for eight separate movies and was synonymous with the role.

So, in amidst all the remakes of recent times, when a new 'Nightmare On Elm Street' movie was suggested, no one thought for a second that anyone but Englund would be in that role. Everyone was in support of the plan to return Freddy to his roots - as a cold, calculating killer with minimal humour - but the most important thing was he was played by the one actor they knew would put his heart and sould into the performance. In the end, while Englund himself gave his blessing and enthusiasm for this remake, it was confirmed he would not be taking the lead role. Instead Jackie Earle Haley, most recently known for his performance as Rorschach in 'Watchmen,' was chosen to bring his own interpretation to the much-loved character.

This Blu-ray pack provides the best of both worlds - the 1984 original AND the 2010 remake. Personally, I much prefer the original due to Robert Englund's performance and the low-budget feel of the movie. There is something strangely unnerving about horror movies from that era, where nothing is glossy or perfect, but more grainy and realistic. Movies like 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' are gritty and somewhat like old home movies rather than big budget productions, and that's a feeling that many studios have tried to replicate in recent times with varying results. And of course, Blu-ray means that 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' looks better than it ever has done, pleasing old fans and first-timers alike.

That's not to discount Haley's performance, as he brings something special to the table as a very talented actor, and you cannot fault his efforts. He was fighting a losing battle from day one though, and in the eyes of many he was always destined to fail. It doesn't help that he is the star of the show surrounded by a mediocre supporting cast of familiar teen faces pulled straight from TV shows like 'Gossip Girl' and tweeny movies like 'Twilight' as there wasn't a single character I cared about, nor wished to escape from Freddy. The fantastic thing about the original was that, even though Englund was the standout performance, he had a number of talented cast members to work with. Heather Langenkamp as the heroine Nancy is someone you really get behind, as are her on-screen father Lieutenant Don (John Saxon) and mother Marge (Marge Thompson). They are a family who aren't perfect by any means, but that almost makes you sympathise with them more because of the realism.

To be fair to the remake, it's one of the best of a bad bunch, but it still leaves you asking 'what was the point?' like 99% of them. It tries to be a little different, changing the look and feel of Freddy to bring him into a modern era, but as a huge fan of the original I can't help but believe I'll rewatch that one over and over rather than ever see the remake again. The 2010 version may well beat some of the sub-par 'Nightmare' sequels, but it never reaches the heights of the 1984 version, nor 'Wes Craven's New Nightmare.' I really think that whoever watches this double pack will see just why Robert Englund will go down as one of the all time greats in horror history, and that his character should never have gone to anyone else.