This film is originally from the pages of Clive Barker a short story called ‘The Forbidden’ which I believe was part of the Books Of Blood. This is such a good example of Clive’s writing as he sets the scene for this very clever and intelligent movie. All that people talk about is how scary this is or how gory it is but there is something more about this movie. ‘Candyman’ was released in 1992 this psychopathic killer mythical horror was directed by Bernard Rose and produced by Steve Golin, Sigurjon Sighvatsson, and Alan Poul and was made on a budget of less than $9m. Bernard Rose was also credited with the screenplay and on its release, it went on to return $25.8 from the box-office. The other critics are not as in love with this as I, with IMDb giving it a 6.6 out of 10 and Rotten Tomatoes going for a bit better score of 75%. It stars Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Xander Berkeley, Kasi Lemmons and Vanessa E. Williams and the success of this movie spawned two sequels which I have never seen, and I am not that bothered by them either. Onwards to the plot.
Helen Lyle is a graduate student in Chicago who is studying urban legends when she learns of the Candyman. Who can be summoned by a person who says his name five times whilst looking in the mirror, when summoned he will appear behind you breathing down your neck and will rip your body apart with his hooked hand. As part of her research two cleaners tell her that the Candyman killed Ruthie Jean a resident of the dangerous Cabrini-Green housing project. Which prompts Helen and a college Bernadette to go and investigate. They find many other similar murders but remain sceptical about the mythical legend. With his legend waning, the actual Candyman feels he must return to reignite he's mythical status. He realises a new miracle needs to occur to bring faith back into his legend. As Helen tests the theory saying his name five times in the mirror, he decides she will be his victim.
I won’t go any further than that on the plot but hopefully this is enough of a painting to whet your appetite for this movie. Dated and apparently low budget as it is this is a great story and a great scary movie. I remember on its release how many people still dared each other to say his name whilst staring in the bathroom mirror. Even though it’s just a movie people still refuse to do it. The clever trick here is that when he has chosen you as the victim it doesn’t mean that the legend will do exactly what it says on the tin as he will appear to you yet no one else can see him and he manipulates your entire life rather than just turn up and rip your guts out your chest. He may just do that but that is only if this action persists the belief of his mythical legend’s status. Just like all those Santa movies when he loses his power because people stop believing well Candyman is the same. He needs people to fear him for his presence to remain. This is so clever by Clive to drive the story this way with his victim having all elements of hope removed as the Candyman slowly kills off her life leaving her with nothing but him. Perfect horror plot if you ask me, so if you want to be scared for a night then give this one a watch as mentioned a little grey around the edges now but for me it still holds up the test of time.
Following this horror, next up is another horror but this is a Zombie movie that you may be surprised to see in my list at all let alone in 41st place…
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