Candyman - A Movie Review

Don’t say the Candyman’s name another five times or you will regret it!

Summoned into theaters in 1992, Candyman is about a murderous ghost with a hook for a hand. Accidentally summoned by a skeptical woman, Helen regrets her words when the Candyman comes after her.

I’m surprised that I have never seen Candyman until now. The film had me entranced, watching every detail, and even jumping back from the screen. Candyman is a horror classic. Never underestimate an urban legend. Candyman is an eerie story about a woman fighting to clear her name.

Because of her role in Candyman, Virginia Madsen has been pointed out by fans everywhere. After going through several dilemmas, Helen is a fierce woman. Her ferocity and willingness to fight were a highlight. I wanted to give her a hug so many times with everything that she had to go through.

Madsen was incredible, evoking utter terror and hysteria. For one scene, she was genuinely scared almost running off the set. Her patience is another attribute to mention as making this film was difficult at times.

Tony Todd had to have real bees put into his mouth! As his favorite role of his own, Todd was startling as the Candyman, most notably his deep voice to appear as sinister.

Speaking of his appearance, I didn’t buy the Candyman as a demon/ghost. Maybe it’s just me, but he felt more like a man brandishing a hook in an oversized jacket. I would have preferred a different outfit so it wouldn’t have overshadowed Todd’s commendable performance.

Candyman includes the remarkable talents of Xander Berkeley, Kasi Lemmons, Venessa Williams, Dujuan Guy, Marianna Elliot, and Ted Raimi. I have only seen Lemmons in one other film, but she and Madsen did a wonderful job working off one another. I liked their friendship.

The ensemble found and embodied terror. Shoutout goes to both Williams and ‘one-take’ Guy as he was nicknamed by the director. For a young actor, Guy did an impressive job delivering eerie stories about the Candyman.

Candyman has notable themes. One theme that has been in talks over the years is race. I didn’t do any research before my watch, but it was definitely noticeable in the film.

The subtle details within Helen’s marriage were directed well. Bernard Rose did a fantastic job with all the subtle nuances. Most importantly, his work on set designs was the best part. Candyman’s lair is impactful. Everything is so eerie, or disgusting that I can smell the rancid evil permeating in the air.

Rose took the gore level to the extreme. Candyman has brutal and bloody murders. The film did not hold back with that. Placing a bunch of bees in the mouth of Tony Todd was not an easy venture. Todd got stung 23 times during filming! Which earned him a lot of money in a $1000 lawsuit for every time a bee stung him.

The camera angles were impressive. As soon as the film began, I was entranced by the ominous looming camera as it tracked moving cars. The overhead shots were my favorite. It conveyed an unnerving feeling that you are being watched.

Candyman is a horror classic among audiences. Fans consider Candyman to be one of the most terrifying villains of all. I will be careful not to say Candyman’s name whenever I am in the bathroom. You never know which urban legends are real.

If you have not seen it, Candyman is the movie for you this Halloween season. I enjoyed it and now it has become one of my new favorite horror films.