BAD MOVIE REVIEW: Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)

Tony Todd is back as Candyman, the hook for a hand son of a bitch slashing through people left and right. This film is really good for the backstory alone. It wasn't anywhere near as scary as the original. The lighting and the director just didn't make any of it seem all that haunting to me.

I love hearing the whole story of candyman. I love all the little nuances that explain various things about the mythos of candyman. The mob saying his name five times, the child calling him candyman for the first time, and of course the mirror. It's a sad story really and candyman being a victim to a mob of chrisitan racists in the glory days of slavery is a tragic tale. It's no wonder he's takin out all his aggressions on "whitey" but thats ok...it's fucking Tony Todd. He can kill all the white folks he wants cuz that mofo is god.

Yes I like Tony Todd. He's so evil in everything he does. He only 'acts' normal when his character needs to be. His portrayal as candyman is excellent once again. His stance and his glare is the same as the first. When he's on screen he really owns it. I love it.

The effects are great. The majority of the kills are done with candyman's trademark hook. I guess I don't understand how he's pushing it through someones back...since that part is the blunt end. It is nevertheless effective in mutilating the hell out of his victims.

All in all...Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh is a pretty decent horror sequel. It can be tedious trying to find a decent sequel in the sea of straight to video crappy sci-fi channel produced sequels (which this one is not) but this one happens to come off as a good flick. To quote Candyman, "Death is only the beginning."

BAD MOVIE REVIEW: Candyman (1992)

Candyman…Candyman…Candyman…Candyman…Ca...WHOA! Careful saying it a fifth time.  The results could be deadly.  Saying his name 5 times to yourself in a mirror summons the wonderfully gruesome killer Candyman.  Armed with a rusty hook jammed into his stub of an arm and held in by massive antique nails, Candyman is one scary dude.

Candyman is a genuinely scary movie.  Brought to you by Clive Barker, this tale is just as wonderful as Hellraiser.  They both have that dark tone to it, a WONDERFUL back-story, and a truly memorable killer.  At least this time around, Candyman gets in on the fun…instead of summoning objects of torture.  The musical score too kind of follows suit with Hellraiser in the sense that it really builds up the suspense and makes even the generic of scenes seem epic.

I better bring this up right now…Tony Todd is Candyman.  That alone should make you want to watch it.  Everytime that man speaks, his voice far exceeds ANY noise in the film at the time all the while sending shivers down your spine.  “What’s blood for? If not for shedding?”  Muwhahahaha!  PERFECT choice for that role, Tony Todd is awesome at everything he does.  And lest not forget Virginia Madsen.  She is really hot in this movie…with some nudity.  Not completely…but at the same time completely.

I first saw this movie when it first came out in 1992.  At the time I was only 7.  The only part I could remember was the story of that boy getting torn up in the public bathroom stall by Candyman.  (along with the flashbacks)  That in itself made me terrified to step foot into a public restroom.  I was so SURE that Candyman was gonna kill me.

The only real problem I have with the movie is the ending.  Well I should say “endings.”  While the “final” ending was awesome…the film seemed to end like 6 times.  It felt like LOTR 3.  It came to an end, then faded back to the story, then ended, then faded back to story, then ended, etc.  But in the end after it was all over, I wasn’t upset with it.

All-in-all I classify this movie as classic.  I believe that it will stand the test of time and future generations will be able to appreciate this brilliant masterpiece.  Candyman will continue to terrify unsuspecting viewers.  Oh one final thought…Candyman! AAAAHHHH!!!!!