Candyman

A couple female grad students are researching urban legends, when they accidentally summon the demonic spirit of "Candyman"- a man who had his hand hacked off and replaced with a hook...before being stung to death by bees...who now goes around killing people...so that his legend can live on in the minds of his "congregation".

His hunting ground is the Chicago area projects...and his congregation is made up of all those who fear him.

The two young ladies head into the projects to do some research. Hoping to find the place where the last Candyman killing took place, and to ask local residents what they might know.

But they are asking too many questions, and this gets them some unwanted attention...leading to Helen (Virginia Madsen) getting beaten up.

The guy who beat her up was pretending to be Candyman, in an attempt to intimidate people. Though, in reality, he is just the leader of one of the local gangs.

So Helen becomes skeptical of Candyman's existence- thinking this is the source of the urban legend that the community holds onto so dearly

But that was her greatest mistake...for now Candyman seeks vengeance...for f*cking with his legacy.

He starts to take over Helen's mind- making her do things she would- she could- never fathom doing.

And forces her into a position, where she must accept a deal with the devil...or, well, him...in order to save the life of an innocent baby who he has kidnapped.

Now, she is wanted for murder, kidnapping, and animal cruelty...and finds herself institutionalized.

Is Candyman really responsible for all these crimes...or is it all in her head? Nothing a quick summoning test won't clear up...

This film is a pretty cool combination of slasher and psychological thriller, with some decent gore and awesome death scenes. Honestly, I'm really surprised I've never watched it until now. It sets you up for the gore with some cheap scares. But that final scene where Candyman is about to kill Helen is wicked. And the final twist at the end was a welcome surprise.

Looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.

6.5 out of 10.

Based on a short story by Clive Barker, Candyman concerns itself with Helen, a grad student who is researching the myth around a supposed demonic killer who goes by the name Candyman. Convinced the killer is a normal guy who is trying to conceal his identity behind an urban legend, Helen gets much more than she bargained for when she summons the evil spirit and it falls in love with her.

I quite enjoyed this. Its suitably gritty and dirty, has a great villain and some pretty brutal gore and effects. You really begin to question whether the candyman is real or not and if Helen is just nuts, and Tony Todd puts in a great performance as the titular killer. The bee scene in particular is pretty great and was done with real bees! Urgh! In the mood for a supernatural slasher? Then this might just quench that thirst...

College student (Virginia Madsen) decides to write a paper on a slave (Tony Todd) who was killed for simply being in love with a white woman. Legend has it if you call out his name several times, he will appear and kill you to avenge his death. Naturally Madsen is disbelieving of this, but Todd starts butchering off all of her friends and framing her in order to make her believe.

This film is so intense and frightening, that when I first saw this on home video with all of the lights on, I actually had to call my mother and get her to come over and comfort me, because this film scared me to death. Tony Todd is perfect in a menacing performance as the villain and Virginia Madsen makes the perfect victim capturing the right balance between terror and disbelief. The myths and legends behind the film are so complex and so fascinating that this film could have gone on for at least another hour and not be one bit overlong. There is plenty of characterization and atmosphere and the settings for the film are very well chosen. However, working somewhat against the film are some of the supporting actors, poor special effects, and an ultra gimmickey ending that feels as though it belongs in another film given the tone and subject matter of this film.

Rated R; Graphic Violence, Profanity, and Brief Nudity.

Before Clive Barker started writing epic fantasy novels,he wrote some truly classic horror stories like "The Midnight Meat Train" and "Scape-Goats." CANDYMAN is based on his story "The Forbidden" and it's on the level of the HELLRAISER movies; Tony Todd honestly scared me with his portrayal of the tragic Candyman. Plus,the filmmakers were not shy about gore and decay,as we explore a side of Chicago where urban legends rule and violence is common. The music of Phillip Glass adds makes the film even stranger.Followed by several needless sequels; the original is the only one you need to see.

Candyman (1992)

*** (out of 4)

Grad student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) is doing research on why certain groups of people blame their violence on mythical legends when she comes across the name Candyman (Tony Todd). Soon Helen realizes that this figure with a hook for a hand is more than just a legend. CANDYMAN certainly stands as one of the best horror films of the 90s as it contains a great story, a creepy atmosphere, some great performances and of course many chilling moments. The story from Clive Barker is certainly something interesting to just think about because the idea of what an urban legend is and how it plays a part in people's lives who believe it is the best thing about the movie. I really loved how director Bernard Rose kept the viewing guessing at all times as to what was going on. Was it really Candyman doing all the killing or had Helen simply lost her mind while doing the research? It certainly helps that you've got such great actors in the leading roles and especially with Madsen. She does an extremely good job in the lead as she really makes you believe all of this stuff that is going on and it's a pretty deep character and the actress has no problems with it. Todd and that iconic voice makes Candyman one of the most memorable screen villains in horror history and that calm and cool nature of the actor really comes across extremely creepy. The film also features a very good score from Philip Glass and of course there's the striking images. I think the film does get a bit too long in the final act but there are just so many effective moments and killings here that you can't help but call this a classic of the genre.