Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) is a graduat student researching modern folk-lore, when she hears about a particular story in a notorious housing project. There, circulates the rumour that a number of murders have been committed by the Candyman (Tony Todd) - the spirit of a slave, with a hook hand. Helen doesn't believe that he will come, and says his name five times into the mirror. To her horror, the Candyman returns for a new wave of murders, and Helen is charged by the police. Only the Candyman can free her from her horror... dvd review Clive Barker rose to fame with his Books of Blood novels of horror fiction. His name is familiar to genre fans, as the author of Hellraiser and Candyman. Columbia Tristar have just issued a brillian special edition version of the latter, unleashing a new life to the evil spirit. Candyman itself is a brilliantly-executed film, that gets right to the core. Its deeply frightening - just the idea of the Candyman is enough to terrify. At school I remember discussion about the film (long before I ever saw it), and the uncertainty about saying his name in the mirror yourself. Even now, I'm not sure I want to. I know its fiction. I've seen the films, listened to the commentary, watched the documentaries, and yet still I find it unnerving. There's something purely evil about the character too. Having been persecuted for his affair with a white woman, Candyman then seeks his revenge indiscriminately. He has come to hate all mankind, man, woman and child. Part of the film's terror is in his captivity of a baby. Tony Todd overwhelms the screen with real menace, and piercing eyes. His voice is resonant, in a similar way to Christopher Lee's. He scares the shit out of you. Virginia Madsen goes through the complete range of emotions as Helen, the cheated-on graduate scholar. The film manages to suggest that the Candyman itself comes into being through Helen's mind - that he doesn't really exist, and that she is the murderer. Certainly the part takes her over, as the actress herself was often really hypnotised for scenes. What can be said about Candyman that hasn't been said before. A hugely influential film, that shot to success far beyond expectations. Sure there are sequels, but this is the best - the frighteningly real. You'll never look at a mirror the same way again. transfer extras Commentary: Clive Barker
joins most of the main cast and crew for a polite and
insightful commentary. So many voices are there, that
Barker keeps everyone right, by announcing themselves
before they speak. With so many voices, athough
irritating (Barker has a very low, raspy voice, almost
whispering at times), it is welcome, and means you always
know who has commented. Clive Barker : Raising Hell Featurette: An 11 minute featurette. 1.85:1 anamorphic. A discussion/interview with Clive and others, about his work in print and movie. Sweets to the Sweet : The Candyman Mythos: A 24 minute documentary, with the cast and crew of the film, discussion the origins of the Candyman concept, from an urban legend, through a filmic realisation, including the making of the film. Bernard Rose: Storyboards: A five minute montage of Bernard's storyboard frames for crucial scenes in the film. Previews: Assorted
theatrical trailers for other Columbia Tristar releases: RJES |
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DISC: Feature length: 99
mins SPECIAL FEATURES: see left for full details |
