Candyman: Collector's Edition - Blu-ray Review

[Michael Scott]

Candyman: Collector's Edition

Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score: ​

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Movie
The 90s was a veritable drought of GOOD horror films (although the landscape was littered with plenty of poor ones), but there were a few shining gems among all the rubble and drek that stand out as bonafide classics in the horror genre. After the days of Freddy, Jason, Michael Meyers and Leatherface the studios were looking at another big “killer” to take up the bloody weapon and start hacking and slashing their way to pure profits. We had some fun attempts such as the Wishmaster series, and horrible attempt with Brainscan, but in 1992 they cinematic gold with the release of Candyman, based off of one of Clive Barker’s novels. While it didn’t exactly light up the studio fires as much as one would hope (it got a mediocre/bad sequel 3 years later), the film has garnered quite the cult following on home video, and after spending several years with only the crummy sequel being released on Blu-ray by Scream Factory, they got around to pumping out a really incredible collector’s edition jam packed with goodies to enjoy.

I’m not so sure WHY people have this tendency to go into danger in horror movies. It’s kind of a joke in reality. Why would you go INTO the dark and scary room where the light switch doesn’t work instead of getting out of Dodge lickety split? The same thing goes for curses and recited spells that supposedly bring up a spirit being who will attempt to kill you. I guess it’s because people “don’t” believe that makes it so easy to do, but so harmful in the end if you’re watching a slasher. Much like the old fable of Bloody Mary (where you say her name three times into a mirror), Candyman revolves around reciting the name “Candyman” 5 times into a mirror, wherein the fabled Candyman will appear with a hook for a hand, and gut the reciter from stem to stern. Pleasant isn’t it?

Well, skeptical grad student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) isn’t exactly one to believe myths and fairy tales, but she and her student partner Bernadette (Kasi Lemmons) are basing their thesis off of folklore and legend, so their pursuits of the local legend “The Candyman” leads them to the south side projects to track down a lead. There they find evidence that the locals believe that this Candyman myth is responsible for several recent murders. Thinking at first that it’s a joke, Helen placates the frightened folks down there in the ghetto until she starts seeing visions of this Candyman (Tony Todd) visiting her.

To make matters worse, The Candyman whispers to her that she is his ultimate prize and his murders leave no trace to anyone but HER after they’re done. Locked up for being a potentially insane mass murderer, Helen is still plagued by the visions of the elusive Candyman, beckoning her back to his “shrine” in the building that started it all over 100 years ago.

Candyman works where others have failed due to the simple buildup of the story (and the actors themselves). It starts out innocently enough, with Helen being on the outside looking in, but as the story progresses Helen’s involvement becomes more and more rooted in the mythology that she’s researching. A hardcore skeptic is slowly won over as her entire world is turned upside down by the sinister Candyman and his nightmaric promises of hell on earth. With the entire world believing that she’s a serial killer (an insane one at that), she has little choice but to give herself entirely to the notion that maybe this really IS happening before her eyes.

Tony Todd has always been excellent as a villain, with his rasping voice and commanding features, but he outdoes himself here. Not with a hammy, over the top performance, but with one that is steady and metered. He isn’t prone to fits of rage, but rather methodical whispering with that unnerving smirk that just exudes his twisted confidence as he reels Helen in bit by bit. Virginia Madsen (I have no idea how someone as beautiful as her is related to mr. “chiseled in stone” Michael Madsen, but I digress) was a rising star at that point, and she does a commendable job playing the frightened and confused Helen. I won’t say that either performance is truly Oscar winning, but combined with Bernard Rose’s unique direction to the film, they both create a cult classic that was a fantastic piece of my childhood (making me stay up WAY too late at night hearing his voice in my bed).




Rating:

Rated R for violence and gore (Theatrical) / Not Rated by the MPAA (Unrated)




Video:

According to Scream Factory Candyman was given a 2K restoration based off of a 4K scan of the original film elements, and supervised by writer/director Bernard Rose as well as director of cinematography Anthony B. Richmond. All that to say, Candyman got the royal treatment and looks meticulously taken care of. The original color grading is all intact, and the film itself is wonderfully textured and nuanced. There’s a nice layer of 90s film grain over the whole image, but it’s never obtrusive or obnoxious, allowing tons of fine details to come through. The close ups are incredible, showing off the creases and lines on Tony Todd’s striking face, as well as allowing us to see little tiny details such as flaking paint on the walls of Helen’s apartment. The black levels are deep and inky, with only mild spikes in the grain levels. Contrast is evenly balanced and the dark film’s robust colors are warm and well saturated. There’s a few seconds of banding and some mild crush, but those are only in fleeting glimpses and don’t really harm the picture that much at all. It’s a great looking transfer for sure, and a worthy remaster for a great cult classic.









Audio:

The disc is home to the typical 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD MA mixes that Scream Factory uses on many of their releases, and from what I can tell the 5.1 mix is the same as the Arrow release. Both tracks are good, but naturally I kind of like the 5.1 mix more as it is much more robust and shows off the surrounds and LFE a lot more. Dialog is always crisp and well placed in the center of the track, while the surrounds play with the creepy sounds of Helen going into the housing projects, as well a the crashing and shrieking emanating from the mental hospital. Gothic choruses and intense score downbeats bring the LFE to the front and center of the track, making it an energetic and powerful mix for sure.







Extras:

Disc One: Theatrical

• BRAND NEW NEW 2K RESTORATION from a new 4K scan of the original negative, supervised and approve 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 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 director Bernard Rose, from The Movie Crypt Podcast hosted by filmmakers Adam Green and Joe Lynch
• Sweets to the Sweet: The Candyman Mythos featuring interviews with director Bernard Rose, producer Alan Poul, 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

• BRAND 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 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

Final Score: ​

I’m honestly surprised that it took this long for Candyman to make it to Blu-ray. I know catalog sales weren’t a big thing for the studios this go around, but Scream Factory had released the sequel years ago, and the first movie was widely considered one of the best horror films of the 1990s. The U.K. had gotten a barebones release years ago, as well as a fantastic release by Arrow, but this one actually edges the Arrow edition out by a small bit in my personal opinion. The extras on this set are absolutely fantastic, with unique extras on BOTH the theatrical and unrated edition discs (for some reason Scream/Shout Factory gives each edition it’s own separate disc instead of employing seamless branching) as well as the original and new cover art on the typical reversible sleeve. The new 2K master is excellent across the board, and the audio mix appears to be the same 5.1 and 2.0 mixes found on the Arrow release (at least by my ears). Honestly, if you’re a fan of this film then I wouldn’t hesitate, as this is a loaded 2 disc set that is stuffed with high audio/video specs and an array of extras that is truly impressive. Must Own for horror fans.



Technical Specifications:

Starring: Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Xander Berkley, Ted Raimi, Vanessa Wiliams, Kasi Lemmons
Directed by: Bernard Rose
Written by: Bernard Rose (Screenplay), Clive Barker (Based on the Novel "The Forbidden")
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 AVC
Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 5.1, English DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles: English SDH
Studio: Scream Factory
Rated: R/NR
Runtime: 109 Minutes (theatrical) / 109 Minutes (unrated)
Blu-ray Release Date: November 20th 2018

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• Michael Scott
• May 11, 2017

Recommendation: Must Own for Horror Fans

 

[Asere]

I remember watching Candyman at the theater and on cable. I thought it was very creepy at the time and Virginia Madsen very attractive.
Thanks for the review.

 

[Michael Scott]

and funny enough, Ted Raimi makes a 1 minute cameo in the beginning of the movie as well

 

[tripplej]

Thanks for the review. I can't remember seeing this so will check it out.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Was that George Costanza in the trailer????

 

[Michael Scott]

lol, no

 

[Todd Anderson]

 

[Todd Anderson]

Sure about that?

 

[Michael Scott]

Yup, that's Stanley DeSantis, he plays the medical doctor in the film

 

[Todd Anderson]

I checked the cast in your notes... if I had seen Jason Alexander in there, I either would have said this horror flick had no grounds for credibility OR that it was an instant MUST WATCH just to see whatever is happening to George in the clip.

I'll be silent now.

 

[Michael Scott]

It's ok Todd, we'll forgive you this once.

 

[Todd Anderson]

 

[Jack]

I loved this movie, hated the bees, but thanks for reviewing this. I will order it.
Now if only they would do a good job of re-issuing "Jacks Back" with James Spader

 

[Michael Scott]

I loved this movie, hated the bees, but thanks for reviewing this. I will order it.
Now if only they would do a good job of re-issuing "Jacks Back" with James Spader

Scream Factory actually DID release "Jack's Back" a year or so ago. I reviewed it back on the "other site".


https://www.amazon.com/Jacks-Back-B...65953&creativeASIN=B00Z710UQG&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[Jack]

Thanks Michael, I did not know....but now that I do, its MINE.

The Amazon link indicates the DVD is available but does not mention the B/R

 

[Michael Scott]

Thanks Michael, I did not know....but now that I do, its MINE.

The Amazon link indicates the DVD is available but does not mention the B/R

I'ts mislabeled. If you notice it SAYS "DVD" in the description, but the "choose your format button" has it listed as Blu-ray and the picture is Blu-ray. Scream Factory didn't release it as DVD, and the UPC # and date it was released coincides with their Blu-ray release of it vs. the old dvd. There was never a U.S. release of the film on DVD so you're safe.Just amazon mislabeling