Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Candyman 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 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Candyman certainly looks sweet on Blu-ray. The picture is consistently stellar; only a few low-light bursts of source noise interfere in any way. The picture is practically regal, revealing precision clarity and intimate detailing throughout. In fact, one might even mistake it for the UHD at-a-glance. The Blu-ray reveals razor-sharp clarity and crazy-intimate texturing, including incredible definition to pores and hairs and, later on, amplifying the nastiness of the various gory elements and the pocked, porous Candyman flesh. Clothes are crisp, environments are razor-sharp, and the paintings are impressively textured, notably when there's thick globs of paint on the canvas. Colors are bold and vivid. The image leaps off the screen with firm contrast and life, including artwork, clothes, and of course some blood, particularly in some of the best-lit kill scenes (a bathroom partway through the film being, perhaps, the best example). Black levels are superior, whites are bright and crisp and skin tones appear spot-on. There's not much more to say: this one teeters on Blu-ray perfection.

Candyman Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Engaging, immersive, delightful, perfect all well summarize Universal's Dolby Atmos soundtrack accompanying Candyman on Blu-ray. 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 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

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

• Alternate Ending (1080p, 2:38).
• Deleted and Extended Scenes (1080p, 5:52 total runtime): Included are Who Do You Think Makes the Hood?, Wanna See Me Fly? , and Fooked Oop.
• Say My Name (1080p, 6:45): Exploring the story and franchise lore within the prism of today's social issues and complexities.
• Body Horror (1080p, 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 (1080p, 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 (1080p, 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 (1080p, 4:54): Focusing on the film's composer and the voice his music brought to the film.
• Terror in the Shadows (1080p, 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 (1080p, 20:24): A roundtable discussion with Colman Domingo, Tananarive Due, Wendy Ashley, Yolo Akili Robinson, and Lorenzo Lewis.

Candyman 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 Blu-ray 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.