Candyman (1992)
By: David Michael Brown on March 15, 2004.
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| All Regions, PAL. 1:85:1 (16:9 enhanced). English 2.0. AV Channel (Australia). 95 minutes |
| The Movie |
| Cover Art |
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| Credits |
Director: Bernard
Rose
Starring:Virginia Madson,
Tony Todd, Xander Berkeley, Kasi Lemmons, Vanessa
Williams
Screenplay: Bernard
Rose (story by Clive Barker)
Music: Michael Reisman
Tagline: "Dare
you say his name 5 times…"
Country: USA |
Hot on the tortured heals of Hellraiser comes Bernard Rose's adaptation of Clive
Barker's short story The Forbidden,
relocating his tale of a vengeful spectre to downtown
Chicago. The Candyman is a mythical, Afro American
avenger seeking revenge on the local community
who did him wrong. He is summoned by those foolhardy
enough to gaze into a mirror and utter his name
five times, soon his signature bees will be buzzing
and his hooked hand will be ready to gore you.
Helen Lyle, played by Virginia Madson, is investigating
urban legends in Chicago's infamous Cabrini
Green Housing Project. Whilst hunting the legend
she unwittingly unleashes the demon by repeating
the immortal line, but escapes his evil clutches.
Little does she know that the Candyman will hunt
her down relentlessly, making her life a living
hell. She is framed for a series of increasingly
gruesome murders of those close to her. Soon her
fractured mind is in as a bad shape as her crumbling
marriage as the Candyman and the police pursue
her. How will she solve the mystery of the Candyman
before her life is ended?
Rose effectively directs the film, the taut storyline
shocks in all the right places without being predictable.
Madsen is excellent as the terrified Lyle, she
perfectly displays the horror and confusion of
a fractured mind in a career best performance.
Todd is good as the titular villain, he is given
some terrible lines and tends to be overly pompous
but when the script calls for a murderous edge
he excels.
Dare you say that name in front of a mirror?
If no then the film has done its work, I doubt
many will be saying "Candyman, Candyman,
Candyman………….."
after watching this DVD. |
| Video |
| The picture is crisp and clear and remains pretty
grain free during the dark scenes. It's particularly
effective showing off the excellent production design
of the Projects. |
| Audio |
| The stereo mix is adequate but the film misses
a punchy surround mix. |
| Extra Features |
| For a horror film of this stature the extras are
unfortunately brief in this Australian release.
The theatrical trailer and a small selection of
biographies are all we get apart from some Umbrella
Propaganda; two extra trailers, one for The
Stepfather, the other Trick or
Treat. |
| The Verdict |
| The film does suffer in comparison to Barkers
greatest cinematic invention but taken on its own
merits Candyman is an effective
and disturbing horror film that deservedly spawned
its own sequels but unfortunately not a decent DVD
release. Here's hoping a special edition will
be released soon. |
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