I had heard of this movie from lots of my friends, but whenever I went to the video store to look for it it was always booked out. Eventually I was lucky enough to find it, and I can understand now why it was booked out so often! Candyman is a brilliant movie, almost perfect in my eyes. It has real atmosphere, great writing, an excellent score and quality acting from all the cast. Virginia Madsen is a shockingly under-rated actress, and she brings the character of Helen to life vividly on the screen, and the viewer can really sympathise with her and feel her frustration.
The thing that I loved about Candyman so much was the fact that it never fails to shock. I must have jumped at least four times in this movie, and some of the events that take place are absolutely jaw-dropping. The idea of Helen going crazy and accomplishing the murders was used extremely well, and the tension in the movie is almost tangible. The musical score only added to this tension, using a lulling, almost ‘fairytale’ melody to compromise the terror that unravels on-screen.
The plot is another great aspect of the movie. It is the most original thing I have seen in a while, and the idea of a hook-handed killer that lives in rumour only to come to life when people stop believing in him is excellent – something that could only have been borne from the mind of Clive Barker. Also, the twist at the end (in the bathroom) is magnificent and breath-taking, and utterly terrifying.
The only thing that ruined Candyman for me was the annoying costume that the Candyman wore. He looked a little daft in the long fur coat, although the rusted hook sticking out from the sleeve of the right arm kind of gave it a twisted edge.
OVERALL SUMMARY
In the end, Candyman is a great, scary Horror movie; a true Horror movie. Check it out if you want to be scared witless!
