Episode 64 - The Candyman Franchise Afterthoughts

Candyman is not the most important horror film of the 90’s but in my small corner of cinematic fandom, it is the best the decade has to offer. Yes, I said it. I think Candyman is the best horror film of the 1990’s. Better than Scream, Dead Alive, Dellamorte Dellamore, or any other notables to throw in the conversation. I love all those films and hold them in high regard but they do not top Candyman.

 The nineties, when it came to the horror genre, was not the strongest decade. Sure it was fan friendly with lots of sequels and endless straight to video fluff but there were not many films being made that were changing things. Changing macabre cinema with social discussion, or cooking the scares out of contemporary relevant fear, or even digging into a deeper artistry. By and large the genre was not being pushed. However, like the aforementioned films, and even more so, Candyman were doing these things.  

Candyman in part suffers from a name in a particular era. It sounds like one of the thousand straight to video turds of the late 80’s and early 90s. A name that was easy to lump in with Dr. Giggles and Leprechaun back then. Candyman was not  one was one of those films. Candyman was not a slasher that relied on gratuitous sex and gore either.  Strike two of its time. Part 7’s and 8’s were everywhere by then and many wanted just that. Candyman did not deliver this. In many ways I think these two reasons alone have helped wash this movie away for many. Their loss.

This is an intelligent horror film from start to finish; thus rendering it not fun enough for some possibly? It’s rich in atmosphere and pacing and it does not pander to the genre tropes of it’s time. Bernard Rose wanted to make a great film and clearly respected the writing of Clive Barker. This was not just a payday but rather, a masterfully executed film. It combined social commentary with American history, urban treacherous landscapes to really fulfill the urban in “urban myths” as well. Lastly, Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen dance to a specific rhythm with each other that isn’t luck. Their chemistry is hypnotic at times and both deliver strong performances that make this movie so damn effective.

My favorite part of covering these films was not only getting to defend and profess my adoration for the first two, but also to be pleasantly surprised that the Grizz turned his opinion around on the seminal first entry. In the past he was not a fan, and I legitimately respect anyone who will voice their opinion when it has changed.

For those of you who malign this movie, I would like to hear more on why? There is not one ounce of combativeness in that request. As an fan, I just cannot fathom how it is possible to just dismiss this movie and I want to learn more from those who disagree. In my eyes, to watch this is to love it.

 

“I am writing on the walls, the whisper in the classroom……..”

Until next time-

Beware the moon,

The Professor.