Candyman 2021 (spoilers)

SYNOPSIS (CONTAINS SPOILERS)

A visual artist named Anthony Mccoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen) lives with his girlfriend Brianna Cartwright (Teyonah Parris) who is an art gallery director in Chicago.  Brianna's brother, Troy (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) tells the tale of urban legend Helen Kyle (Virginia Madsen -of the classic 1992 Candyman) one night while he and his boyfriend are visiting Anthony and Brianna.  The story he tells is that Helen went on a killing spree and one night she was burned in a bonfire outside the Cabrini Green projects where she tried to sacrifice an infant.  The residents were able to rescue the child before it was too late, and Helen perished in the fire.

The story is told during a time where Anthony was in a deep creative slump.  Looking for any inspiration he can find to beat the deadlines and ease the pressure he has on himself, Anthony latches on to this urban legend to use it as the much-needed inspiration he is looking for.  During this search for inspiration, Anthony ends up meeting William Burke (Colman Domingo), who tells him about Candyman.  Burke shares his childhood encounter with Sherman Fields (Colman Domingo), a man with a hook-hand, who was believed to have placed a razor in candy and had given it to a little girl.  Through a loud scream while taking clothes to the laundry mat, Burke alarmed the police outside to Sherman's location.  Upon swarming the laundry mat, the police kill Sherman, but he was later exonerated when several more children found razorblades in their candy.  The legend was born that saying Burkes name "Candyman" five times in a mirror would make him appear and kill whoever had summoned him.  

The story inspired Anthony to create an exhibit in which he showcased at Brianna's gallery.  It did not receive the attention or praise that Anthony had hoped for, but the night after the art  exhibition, Brianna's coworker and his girlfriend were killed inside the gallery after everyone left.  Brianna finds the bodies the next morning and soon thereafter a group of teenagers get slaughtered in the school bathroom after repeating Candyman's name five times in the mirror.  

Due to a bee-sting that Anthony sustains while exploring around Cabrini Green, he finds himself in the hospital.  This is where he discovers his mom (Vanessa Williams) has lied to him about where he was born, which was in Cabrini Green.  He pays his mom a visit to confront her about this newly discovered fact and she finally tells him the truth that he was the baby who was rescued from the bonfire the night Helen Lyles was burned alive.  The truth was, Candyman had abducted him and planned to sacrifice him that night and Helen saved Anthony from Candyman, costing her her own life.  His mom explains that the community had vowed to never speak of Candyman again after the night in order to protect Anthony.  Now, his mother fears for Anthony since he has broken their pact. 

Brianna seeks out Burke once she discovers that he is the man who Anthony told her he had run into while seeking more information about Candyman.  Once she finds Burke, he subdues her and takes her to an old abandoned church where he has already taken Anthony.  Anthony continues to deteriorate up to this point and it makes it easy for Burke to manipulate the situation.  

After she had summoned candyman in the mirror, Burke witnessed his sisters murder in their bathroom when he was a young boy.  To seek vengeance for his sisters murder, he plans to set Anthony up as the person responsible for the recent murder spree in hopes to have Anthony shot down and it will revive the legend of Candyman by murdering Anthony to honor his sisters memory and death rather than continue to be told as a story of black pain and suffering.

Brianna escapes and later kills Burke and shortly after Anthony is shot down and killed by police.  This leads to the eventual resurrection of Candyman through Anthony's death.  The movie closes with Candyman's face coming toward the camera and it is now Tony Todd who says, "Tell everyone."

Hi friends!  Welcome back to my page!  What a couple of weeks it has been.  I have finally finished writing and I'm ready to share my thoughts on the newest installment into the legend of Candyman.  This movie gets a lot of hate among both the mainstream and horror fans alike.  No hate here, though!  It's all love.  Enjoy!! 

Candyman 2021 reflects a new spin on the mythology surrounded by the old legend of Candyman, but it exists with and connects itself directly to the 1992 original.  Not only is new mythology reflected (quite literally) - the movie refuses to spend its short runtime, of barely a minute over an hour and a half, presenting you another mindless slasher.  Candyman 2021 has a story to tell and it delivers the goods with actual purpose while adding to the existing mythology.  The urban legends spoken of in this chapter of the Candyman saga bring you an all-new perspective.  Perception is the defining ingredient that separates how we ingest and digest what we see.  I think that is why there is so much hate with this movie.  Admittedly, I can see how it can be interpreted in ways that make it unlikeable.  I can see it from many different points of view, but my initial and long-lasting perspective has been one of great favor for this storyline.  It works so well for me.

One thing I will continue to say and feel about my movie watching experience is that I don't want social and political commentary saturating the movies I watch; and that mindset is not about to change.  The fact I feel so strongly about these things might make you scratch your head over my love for this installment in the franchise.  This movie uses a lot of both of the issues I am so adamantly against, and even though that's not the flavor of horror I desire, I believe those things are actually what adds to the depth and layers of this movie.  These elements allow you, as the viewer, to interpret these issues through your own perspective and life experiences.  Social commentary can make its audience uncomfortable and at times can feel like it is forcing a certain belief on you.  However, I never perceived it that way with Candyman 2021.  I'm aware that we watch all movies and interpret them based on our own perceptions, but when the message is conveyed in a spiritual tone and the tone resonates with you through painful or traumatizing experiences, it can make you feel an actual connection to the material.  Some of the unspoken messages in this movie are more easily conveyed to those who experience true empathy and compassion for the message they are receiving.  

The reviews of this film remain very divided - it is easy to see the divide and why.  The people who hate it and those who love and appreciate it, both have reasons based on their reality, expectations, and moreover their perspective.  This storyline focuses on the horrors that black communities have experienced and continue to experience.  Obviously this subject matter is uncomfortable for most people, especially those who experience it first hand.  But fortunately, through art, we can express these uncomfortable issues and talking points and use them as a reminder of the suffering others have gone through.  I still don't like social and political commentary in my movies, but it can be used as a vessel to channel the impact it has had on peoples lives and when it is done well, I actually appreciate it.  

This subject matter can be used as a reminder of how far we have come and to represent our continued forward movement because of these issues.  That is important and is really the only justification for it in these types of movies.  We cannot heal or grow as humans unless we can face and discuss the things that make us uncomfortable.

Sometimes these messages are used to spread hate and that will only ever hold us back.  With Candyman 2021, I see it more along the first example, but some people do not interpret it that way.   I have read some very ridiculous comments about white people liking this movie.  One commenter posted on another forum that the only reason any white person would like this movie is to try to compensate and cover up the fact that they are a racist.  That comment is the most outlandish thing I have read in regard to this movie and it is a disgusting mindset that no one should possess.  

This movie definitely contains a subplot involving racism, but to label the fans of this movie as racists is not only wrong but sickening.  I thoroughly enjoy this movie and I can assure you it is not because I am trying to prove anything about my views on race or racism.  I know people are still hurting, some people are lost or confused, and moving on is either hard or maybe even impossible for them.  This is one movie I won't try to impress upon anyone else whether or not they should watch it, or whether I think they will like it.  But I am certainly happy to show it love and share my enjoyment for it.  

The reality is ... Art imitates life, and in this case, the underlying message is a harsh and heartbreaking reality.  

With all this said, I would like to stray from that subject matter and address the real elephant in the room - Candyman himself.  The fact that Tony Todd only had a brief CGI moment in this movie was a major disappointment for a lot of fans.  It was a highlight for me though, because we were being told a brand new story.  While we didn't get much of our beloved Tony Todd, I can easily say I love this screenplay because it was not written to replace him, and if it had been they would have not only disappointed me, but most likely lost me, too.  Tony Todd cannot be replaced.  He is Candyman.   The creators were smart enough to know better than trying to act as though he doesn't exist.  That is the primary factor why this movie worked so well for me.  They didn't try to replace him, they paid respect to him by expanding on the legend that started with him and Helen and added a fresh spin.  Since the new take on the legend never tries to eradicate or ignore the original, it worked for me.  I love that even though this story ties in with the original mythology it still manages to stand on its own.  Since you have seen this film, you know that no one person was Candyman.  Like Burke says in one of his scenes ... Candyman isn't one bee ... he's the whole damn hive.  He is representative of the individuals who lost their lives to the police brutality in Cabrini Green.

The most clever aspect of this movie for me, was the use of reflections.  This is one of the simplest yet highly effective ways to add an extra special touch to this story through its visuals.  The bits that are unspoken are some of the most magical and impactful moments for me.  To see Anthony look in the mirror or at any reflection of himself and have the image of Candyman cast in his eyes, sends a much deeper message to me than just saying he is or believes he is transforming into Candyman.  For me, it gave a visualization of the turmoil Anthony was experiencing internally.  To live an entire life not knowing the truth of who you are and to later discover everything you have known is all a lie, well, that is a huge emotional and mental battle to face.  The confusion, the sadness, the anger, the questions ... it all permeates deep into the psyche and unfortunately that is something I can relate to that on a firsthand level.  I, too, learned as an adult that I had been lied to my entire life and even after that truth was unveiled - I was not granted the full truth.  The conflict inside of a persons heart and mind can be a very disturbing, but transformative place.  No matter who or what is around you, it isolates you and alienates from all that you once knew.  I related to Anthony on a realistic level at the point his past was revealed.  There was no turning back for him and there was no changing of mind for me.

Even though it has been a year since I first watched this movie,  I still can't fully convey all of the elements that come together to not only make me love it, but keep me coming back and rewatching this movie.  Some things we really can't explain and this is one of them for me.  Writing a review about something you can't explain proves to be very difficult.  I'd love to hear your feedback! 

CINEMATOGRAPY 

This film is beautifully shot.  From the moment title credits begin, the audience views everything as a mirror image and that is very important considering how the Candyman is revealed.  The orchestral music, puppetry, and narration in the opening of the movie set up the style and tone very well.  I see all of it as a message that the creators are reflecting upon the original film and its content.  Through the camera lens and the art the creators quietly pay tribute to the story that started it all.  We see the city from the ground to sky, which was formerly an aerial shot from sky to ground.  It is a beautiful touch and made it easy for me to settle into the style that was being used.  The color, tones, and hues - along with the shots and angles used - make the visuals undeniably gorgeous.  Since our lead character, Anthony, is an artist, the creators implant the artsy whimsy into your subconscious from that start and it was highly effective for me.

CAST

The performances from our lead actors was superb.  The only actors that felt like they were "acting" (bad acting at that) were the guy and girl who were murdered in the art gallery.  Horrible.  It felt like I was watching a cold read straight from a draft script.  That's my only complaint about the cast or acting though.

The rest of the movie was full of talented performers and our lead actor (Yahya) was the shining start for sure.  

SOUND AND SCORE

Uniquely placed and perfectly executed music and sound effects.  The orchestral score used in the beginning and end set the vibe for a movie that stands apart from a standard slasher full of jump scares and current pop music.  The sound effects and score added to the feeling of being told a tale of the urban legend this community was hiding from and guarding themselves from.  

EFFECTS

Both practical and CGI effects have been used here, more of the latter, but they were all well done.  As I stated before, aside from the emotional messages, the reflections were among my most favorite aspects of this film.  There are some pretty cringe worthy scenes that derive from Anthony's physical evolution or transition, but this film does not rely on or reward the gore hound with graphic on camera death scenes..  Much is left to the imagination and it works very well for me.  That is one thing about Jordan Peele's NOPE that I would have preferred to change ... I would have liked to have more left to the imagination whereas his "creature" was concerned.  In Candyman, there was just enough balance for me when it comes to the death scenes.  I admit some of his body shots during the "change" were pretty disgusting.  I'm not complaining though!

The ending of this movie certainly sets it up for another chapter.  Let's just hope that if a sequel is made, we can build upon both this story and the original and come to an even greater understanding of the legend that is ... SAY IT ... Candyman!

Another two severed bloody thumbs up from me!