Jesse (Mark Patton) is possessed by the spirit of Krueger...and soon adolescents are dropping like flies.

Enlivened by a gay subtext which hints that Jesse is possibly repressing his sexuality (a surprising choice for a horror film from the mid '80s), the theme is underscored by his high school gym teacher who frequents an S&M bar and meets his comeuppance by being whipped and slashed in the nude.

In addition, director Sholder seems to find every which way to have Patton end up partially or completely undressed.

The film reaches its horror apex during a fun poolside massacre - and there are some great, scary bookend scenes involving speeding schoolbuses driving off into a hellish desert.

Patton is good in the lead and Robert Englund reprises Krueger, bringing a more playful wicked malevolence to the role. The fine supporting cast includes Kim Myers as Jesse's girlfriend and classy Hope Lange as his mother.

A very decent follow-up.

Note to Ron Grady (played by Robert Rusler): you ain't foolin' nobody. That poster of Limahl in your bedroom might as well be a huge rainbow flag.

Followed by A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.