Candyman Blu-ray Review

When Hellraiser hit big in 1987 Clive Barker became a household name.  The film was like nothing that had been seen before.  So it was no shock when studios wanted to start adapting other novels he had written.  In 1992 Barker’s short story The Forbidden was re-written for the screen and became Candyman.  Barker served on as the executive producer. The film was a hit and spawned sequels, and even toys.

Candyman centers around a woman named Helen Lyle.  She’s researching Urban Legends for her graduate project and finds one that comes from her area.  Its about The Candyman. He was an African American  artist in 1890 and had an affair with a white woman and fathered a child with her.  The woman’s father had his hand cut off, covered him in honey and watched as he was stung to death by bees.  His ashes lay where the local Housing Project now sits. Legend has it if you say his name five times in front of a mirror he will appear and kill you with his hook hand. She meets a cleaning woman who tells her Candman is real and that they know a woman killed by him in the local housing projects.  Turns out a lot of people have been killed in that area and Helen decides to research it.

Unfortunately Helen and her friend are not welcomed in the housing project and Helen is assaulted by a street punk calling himself The Candyman. She then tells everyone that the legend is not real. Unfortunately it is.  The Candmany appears to Helen and tells her that he will spill blood because she discredited his legend. He kills a dog and seals a baby, and kills the child’s mother framing Helen for the crime.

This truly is one of the most original films I have ever seen.  I saw it back in the theater in 1992 and watched it again last night.  I must say the film moves slow by today’s standards by the story still holds up to this day.  Paced like a thriller as opposed to a standard slasher film the film tells a story as it slowly build up the suspense.  The score is fantastic as is Tony Todd’s performance as Candyman.  The gore scenes are well done and use practical effects as opposed to the cgi that is used today.  

Finally the film is getting the release it deserves thanks to the fine folks over at Scream Factory.  Presented fully uncut this is an amazing print.  Everything is crystal clear, and the score sounds absolutely haunting coming from your speakers.  It’s even loaded with special features

 DISC ONE (THEATRICAL CUT):

NEW 2K Restoration From A New 4K Scan Of The Original Negative, Supervised And Approved By Writer/Director Bernard Rose And Director Of Photography Anthony B. Richmond 

NEW Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Bernard Rose And Actor Tony Todd

NEW Audio Commentary With Authors Stephen Jones And Kim Newman

Audio Commentary With Director Bernard Rose, Author Clive Barker, Producer Alan Poul And Actors Tony Todd, Virginia Madsen And Kasi Lemmons

Audio Commentary With Bernard Rose, Moderated By The Movie Crypt's Adam Green And Joe Lynch

"Sweets To The Sweet: The Candyman Mythos" Featuring Interviews With Writer/Director Bernard Rose, Executive Producer Clive Barker, Actors Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, And Kasi Lemmons

"Clive Barker: Raising Hell" – An Interview With Author/Artist/Filmmaker Clive Barker

Interview With Actor Tony Todd (2014)

Bernard Rose's Storyboards

Theatrical Trailer

TV Spots

Still Gallery

Screenplay (BD-ROM)
DISC TWO (UNRATED CUT):

NEW 2K Restoration From A New 4K Scan Of The Original Negative With High Definition Inserts For The Uncut Footage From An Archival Film Print

NEW "Be My Victim" – An Interview With Tony Todd

NEW "It Was Always You, Helen" – An Interview With Virginia Madsen

NEW “Reflection In The Mirror” – An Interview With Actor Kasi Lemmons

NEW "A Kid In Candyman" – An Interview With Actor DeJuan Guy

NEW "The Writing On The Wall: The Production Design Of Candyman" – An Interview With Production Designer Jane Ann Stewart

NEW "Forbidden Flesh: The Makeup FX Of Candyman" – Including Interviews With Special Makeup Effects Artists Bob Keen, Gary J. Tunnicliffe And Mark Coulier

NEW "A Story To Tell: Clive Barker's The Forbidden" – Writer Douglas E. Winter On Clive Barker's Seminal Books Of Blood And Candyman's Source Story, The Forbidden

NEW "Urban Legend: Unwrapping Candyman" – A Critical Analysis Of The Film With Writers Tananarive Due And Steven Barnes

A great film back in 1992 is now a great film in 2018.  It was one of the most original films horror wise when it came out, and still feels fresh to this day.  It’s a must buy for any horror fan looking for a unique creepy film.

Overall 3 out of 5 Stars