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Candyman (2021)

 A review by Forrest Humphrey 


Much like “Halloween” back in 2018, the new “Candyman” is a sequel/reboot that scraps the old sequels and only uses the original film for backstory, while also sharing the same name as the original. Why this has become a trend, I'm not sure. Regardless, much also like “Halloween” before it, “Candyman” 2021 is a worthy sequel to the original film. For the most part. 


I will of course refrain from spoilers given this is a new film still in theaters, so consider this my early endorsement to go see it. The core cast, especially Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Teyonah Parris, all put in great work, though the side characters are more lacking. Director Nia DaCosta has an eye for beauty as well, the film is loaded with gorgeous cinematography and stunning visuals, especially considering the film's budget. Of special note are some sequences using shadow puppets that are an absolute visual treat.


The score by Robert A. A. Lowe is also fantastic, and is wholly different from the more gothic score composed by Phillip Glass in the original film. I consider this the correct decision, as Glass's score is iconic and the new music allows it to have its own, grungier tone. 


The film carries on its legacy of being more than a slasher with solid kills and gruesome imagery. The film has a lot to say to us, both about real world issues such as gentrification and the exploitation of suffering, but also its unique approach to exploring urban legends and expanding on the mythology of the original film in what I found to be a very unique and interesting way. I wont say more than that here, but the film has some really interesting ideas.


There are some issues here though. As I said earlier, several of the supporting cast feel vestigial and sometimes unnecessary beyond adding to the body count, and some of the performances can be lacking. You can also tell three people worked on the script, as subplots can end up feeling like they should have been cut to explore the core concepts more fully. The film is a slow burn with great buildup, until it suddenly sprints to the finish, I feel if some elements were cut and just a little more runtime this could have been remedied. Overall however, I still found the film very enjoyable, and I recommend it. 


Rating: 4/5




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