6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In present day, a decade after the last of the Cabrini towers were torn down, Anthony and his partner move into a loft in the now gentrified Cabrini. A chance encounter with an old-timer exposes Anthony to the true story behind Candyman. Anxious to use these macabre details in his studio as fresh grist for paintings, he unknowingly opens a door to a complex past that unravels his own sanity and unleashes a terrifying wave of violence.
Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Vanessa Williams (I)Horror | 100% |
Thriller | 25% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Collector's Edition
1992
2019
Extended Cut
2021
Collector's Edition
1988
2022
2022
2012
Collector's Series
1999
2018
1986
2019
2013
2020
Uncut
2007
1978
2019
2023
Collector's Edition
1990
2016
Collector's Edition
1991