Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Candyman 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 10, 2021

2021's Candyman is not a remake of the frightening cult favorite 1992 film of the same name but rather a continuation of the story established in the original. As it is, exploring the universe under multiple lenses, this 2021 version blends keen social insight with visceral horror in a well blended experience that is rightly, and satisfyingly, more focused on characters and narrative rather than slasher Horror. What could have been an excuse for repetitive scenes of severe bloodletting and physical trauma is instead a contemplative exploration of the human condition within a terrifyingly gruesome prism.

Artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and his girlfriend Bri (Teyonah Parris), an art gallery director, are on their way up in the Chicago art world; it seems the sky is the limit for his talents on the canvas and hers in displaying the work. But when Bri's brother Troy (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) shares the legend of Candyman, Anthony finds himself obsessed with the story. As the tale's dark past comes into focus, particularly as he learns more of the legend from the mysterious William Burke (Colman Domingo), Anthony will find himself closer to Candyman than he could have ever imagined possible.

Candyman explores the mythos and expands the legend in a way that serves the original while introducing a new generation to the terrifying realities established in the original film. It's a stylish exercise, too, one that is just as concerned with aesthetic approach as narrative function and foundation, and Director Nia DaCosta (the upcoming The Marvels) proves well capable of balancing the output to powerful, impactful effect. The externals and internals compliment one another very well, and the individual components of psychological terror and physical violence mesh seamlessly together in a way that is, sadly, all too rare in the Horror genre. Here, characters are well defined and strongly performed; a few cliché-types are sprinkled throughout but the central focuses are legitimately shaped human beings who serve the plot, yes, but who are also believably real in their construction and cadences and their physical and emotional responses alike. Moving forward many genre films could learn from Candyman.

The film boasts several quality performances, though it is certainly lead Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who carries the film, not because he plays the main character but because his inhabitation of him is believable, even in the midst of the supernatural components swirling around him. The performance hits its stride early on, first focusing on piqued curiosity, then obsession, then emotional decline, and finally physical transformation. It's complex and nuanced but, like the movie as a whole, visceral at the same time. This is what a Horror lead should be and this is what makes a Horror lead iconic. Perhaps just as important, the film blends practical and digital with seamless authenticity. The visual supports are finely integrated and the film is never too reliant on digital trickery. Story towers, actors carry, and the computers support, just as it should be. This is a quality genre film all around.

Candyman 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Candyman is a stunner on Blu-ray and the picture is just as impressive on UHD. Universal's 2160p/HDR presentation amplifies the image's already impressive visual credentials with boosts to resolution and color dynamics. First, the HDR grading: the picture enjoys the usual benefits, including a series of more vivid tones and deeper blacks. Darker scenes are a bit more absorbing here, such as during a scene around the 10-minute mark when Troy tells the story of Helen Lyle and Cabrini-Green that really sets the plot in motion. In daylight, the level of tonal authenticity, clarity, depth, and vividness are excellent, bordering on breathtaking. The picture is not necessarily so colorfully dynamic as to stand out for raw color splash, but the HDR grading certainly renders the full spectrum within the movie's purview about as well as can be expected. Add bolstered whites and superior skin tone precision and this is a terrific color presentation. Not to be outdone is the clarity and texture. The picture is dynamically clean; even the lowest light noise is rendered much more efficiently to the point that it's barely in evidence beyond the most challenging scenes. Image stability and crispness are top of the charts and raw detail is presented with a command of clarity beyond the Blu-ray's capabilities. Intimate facial features are far more lifelike here, city details are remarkably precise, and gore effects are every bit as squeamishly delicious as they should be. The clarity here is the big winner; the picture is silky-smooth and resplendently fine. For as good as the Blu-ray is, this one is clearly its superior and the best way to watch the film.

Candyman 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Engaging, immersive, delightful, perfect all well summarize Universal's Dolby Atmos soundtrack accompanying Candyman on UHD. The track fires on all cylinders, delivering one of the most engaging, balanced, and intense listens of the year; if "track of the year" where a thing on Blu-ray.com it would be an upset if this one didn't win. The track is every bit as prodigious as listeners could reasonably want. Musical engagement is top tier, extending with seamless width, depth, and complimentary top layer usage to make a wonderfully tight and immersive listening experience. Clarity is off the charts and the low end depth in support is terrific; the subwoofer's usage and balance and impact cannot be underscored. There are some prodigious overhead audio elements during an elevator scene at the 41-minute mark, offering very deep and loud and prominent top end extension, perfectly fitting into the scene's dynamics. Additionally, heavy saturating rain pelts the top end in the 64-minute mark to excellent effect. There are a few incredibly potent gunshots at the film's end. These are hands down the most intense and realistic examples of movie gunfire one is going to find; it nearly rivals the real deal for not only loudness but realism. The track further offers excellent spatial awareness and clarity to a crowded gallery and wonderful living, breathing detail to city exteriors. Dialogue is every bit as perfect as it can be. This is a beautifully designed and implemented soundtrack, easily one of the best of the year.

Candyman 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Candyman includes an alternate ending, deleted scenes, and a handful of featurettes. A Blu-ray copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This product ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Alternate Ending (2160p/SDR, 2:38).
• Deleted and Extended Scenes (2160p/SDR, 5:52 total runtime): Included are Who Do You Think Makes the Hood?, Wanna See Me Fly? , and Fooked Oop.
• Say My Name (2160p/SDR, 6:45): Exploring the story and franchise lore within the prism of today's social issues and complexities.
• Body Horror (2160p/SDR, 6:22): Exploring, briefly, the original film but focusing mostly on the grisly makeup and prosthetics which are applied and created for this film.
• The Filmmaker's Eye: Nia DaCosta (2160p/SDR, 4:48): DaCosta discusses her relationship with the original film and the discussion follows to explore her work as a filmmaker broadly and on this project specifically.
• Painting Chaos (2160p/SDR, 7:17): Exploring art's place in the film and how it influences, builds, and propels the narrative. It also looks at the real art which is seen and artists who appear in the film.
• The Art of Robert Aiki Aubrey Low (2160p/SDR, 4:54): Focusing on the film's composer and the voice his music brought to the film.
• Terror in the Shadows (2160p/SDR, 4:09): Designing the shadow puppetry in the film and the role it plays in shaping the narrative and connecting this film to the original.
• Candyman: The Impact of Black Horror (2160p/SDR, 20:24): A roundtable discussion with Colman Domingo, Tananarive Due, Wendy Ashley, Yolo Akili Robinson, and Lorenzo Lewis.

Candyman 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

What Candyman does well is to speak to audiences coming to the movie for different reasons. Gore hounds will certainly find enough blood to their liking but audiences seeking a reprieve from mindless slashers will find the film to be reflectively intelligent, overtly and subtly alike. With imaginative filmmaking, expert performances, and a team committed to building a full film rather than a partial linear experience, this is one of the better genre films of the past few years. Universal's UHD is outstanding. While the disc could stand to house a few weightier extras, what is here is fine and the A/V presentation is practically above reproach. Highly recommended.