Candyman (2021) Movie Review

Hello guys and welcome back for another round of movie reviews with Movie Nerd, a place where you can be nerdy about movies!

It's been a while since my last reviews, which were of two missed ones but today it's going to be a review for a newer movie that came out at the end of August so not that long ago actually.

I believe most of you are familiar with the Candyman character, mostly from the 1992 original movie which starred Tony Todd as the titular hook man character. This newer entry in the Candyman urban legend follows the same familiar steps as the original but with some minor differences, expanding in ways fans of this franchise will appreciate and enjoy. Before I dive into the review, a bit of a synopsis for you guys because that's how we do things here at Movie Nerd :)):

• For decades, the housing projects of Chicago's Cabrini-Green were terrorized by a ghost story about a supernatural, hook-handed killer. In present day, an artist begins to explore the macabre history of Candyman, not knowing it would unravel his sanity and unleash a terrifying wave of violence that puts him on a collision course with destiny.

So I've seen the 1992 original version once but I did the mistake of not seeing it again before I watched the newer version because this is a direct sequel to that, meaning that it really ties in very much with it. Although this version is constantly reminding you of the events of the original movie but it feels like it's hitting you in the head with all those references, that's how often they are using them. They did or tried to do the exact same thing that they did with the Halloween movie from 2018, which was also a direct sequel to the original from 1976 but not with the same success I'm afraid. Maybe because the storyline from the Halloween franchise is not as complicated as the one from this franchise and it was easier with that series and not as easy with this one.

As far as I remember, the 1992 version was a bit more scarier than this one, which is not that scary at all. It does have some really and effective creepy moments helped by the some very good camera work and angles that really can send some shivers down your spine. It does feel familiar, it follows almost the same steps as the original one but, like I said before, it expands the mythos and it shows us that Candyman is less of a person but more a persona, that people who were oppressed and wronged adopt.

As expected, there is also some social commentary regarding race and the oppression of coloured people in this version, more often than it was really necessary. I am all for that, don't get me wrong but don't cram it down our throats.

It's rated R so some violence and gore was expected and I got that plenty. The killings are a bit far apart from each other but they're are very effective and brutally violent. One or two of the killing scenes are very nicely done with some excellent camera work and some incredible shots and angles.

Overall, this new version works very well visually, it can be terrifying in some moments and in the chapter of story it deepens the mythology of the name with an incisive and socially approach. 7.5/10

OK guys, that was my review for this one. I am trying to do a couple of reviews this weekend because during the week I simply cannot find the time so expect today or tomorrow for another two reviews, one for Old and the last missed one, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions.

Until then, take care, stay movie nerdy and keep on reviewing!