Still as scary a work as one could hope for when it comes to horror, the 1994s candy man turns out to be one of those films that you can put on and be sucked into until everything else is drowned out around you. As Tony ToddThe dynamic performance of the titular being draws in the unsuspecting characters, the film itself also manages to be equally macabre and fascinating. It has a few hangs that will cause it to stumble at times, but the gripping scenes of terror stay as sharp as ever. If you haven’t seen it yet, better fix it right away and you’ll see for yourself the power of its lasting allure.
A familiar but terrifying plot
According to a news from Clive Barker, it’s a film that abandons the original setting of contemporary Liverpool to instead explore the Cabrini-Green social housing development in Chicago. It’s one of the many ways this adaptation makes some rather bold changes and unfolds with them in a story that’s familiar in some ways while remaining unclassifiable and creepy in others. It begins with an eerie opening title sequence where we look out over the city as if witnessing the tiny realities of everyday life that could be crushed at any moment. We are then introduced to graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madson) who researches urban legends. While doing so, she comes across the story of the infamous Candyman. Supposedly, he will appear when you say his name five times in front of a mirror. She also learns that he is suspected of being behind a recent murder in Cabrini-Green and sets out to try to get to the bottom of all the stories that are being spread. Helen thinks she can find out the truth, but ends up getting more than she bargained for.
Candyman is very real
As anyone who’s ever seen a horror movie can see coming, it turns out that not only is Candyman real, but he has a particular interest in Helen. However, how it all begins to unfold is as disturbing as it is startling. While Helen initially dismisses the veracity of the Candyman’s story, in a more than a little arrogant way, she will soon realize that he is indeed real. The film takes its time to build up the tension before finally revealing it to us in all its glory. The scene where he first appears to her in a parking lot is nothing less than spectacular in the simplicity but utterly disturbing of it all. Todd just has such a powerful presence as an actor that the way he carries himself is able to strike fear into even the simplest of moves. When combined with her sonorous, silky voice as the character walks slowly but menacingly towards Helen, the film is able to cast a spell that is rarely broken for the duration. The moments where it is broken are mostly due to clunky plots here and there that take away the most haunting heart of the story. However, when the film finds its rhythm, it truly becomes something special.
A disturbing score that elevates the film
In particular, the score by longtime composer Philip Glass is absolutely perfect for setting the tone of the story. From the recurring piano theme which is beautiful even if it makes you nervous at the most lyrical moments, it fits into every corner of your mind where it remains even after the last note has disappeared. The score was so memorable that the recent sequel did kind of a brief riff on the same notes due to their unforgettable character. Every time you hear the music start to rise, you feel like you hear some kind of spiritual being take hold of you. While this new movie wasn’t as beloved as the first, there was still something to enjoy due to the way it took certain elements from the original and reimagined them. Of course, nothing will be as impactful as what the original presented to us. There are so many amazing picture moments that stick in your mind. The way the bees weave into the fabric of the story and Candyman himself will never cease to be mesmerizing to watch. It turns out that bringing these sequences to life required thousands of real bees, and Todd would have been stung twenty-three times. If ever there was a show of his commitment to the craft, it would be letting the bees swarm on you for the shot. Fittingly, Todd was also paid $1,000 per sting.
‘Candyman’ lives on thanks to Tony Todd’s performance
Above all, it is Todd who remains the highlight of the whole experience. He has such an irreplaceable screen presence that every time he steps out of the shadows or appears to Helen, the film gets immeasurably better. Even when parts of the story don’t entirely come together and often stumble, it’s Todd who keeps us engaged in the weird experience. It doesn’t even fully show up for 45 minutes, but immediately commands every scene that follows. It’s a titanic performance of terror that remains one of the best ever on screen in horror. The legacy of the film series was one that Todd started here and it just isn’t the same without him in the central role. While its small appearance at the end of the new entry was welcome, it just didn’t have the same force and power as that original work. While identified as something of a “slasher,” Todd made sure that Candyman’s legacy transcended any easy categorization of just how completely dedicated he was to the character. It is through its hooked hand that the film will continue to stand the test of time and remain a prime example of how the power of a great performance can still grip us without ever letting go.
Evaluation: B+
Tony Todd Still Terrifies In His Iconic Horror Performance – GameSpot