Review of Candyman (2021) by Gumdrop — 01 Mar 2023

This had the potential to be really good but ultimately, it fails to do what the original did. You see the first one managed to create an atmosphere you just can't find in a horror movie and definitely can't find in this one. It was scary and by the end, you really did buy into the narrative. That maybe, just maybe saying Candyman 5 times, he might just appear.

But what it really did well was to tell the same story that this one tries (and fails) to tell. It successfuly handled the deeper themes. And it did it without forcing them down your throat. It did a great job conveying the message and still being a really great horror movie. This sequel isn't a particularly good horror movie. Yes, it's very well scored and shot. But that's about all it has going for it. There's nothing you haven't already seen 1000 times in any other horror/slasher. You see, the reason is that it's not a horror movie. It's a political statement masquerading as a horror movie.

More importantly. In an effort to push its narrative, it neglects the story and the characters. I see people commenting that the negative reviews are only because we don't get the "themes". Well we get it now and we got it with the original. The difference is that the original handled it tactfully and wove it into the story and the horror. It still successfully conveyed its message. More so than this one. Watching this sequel is like constantly being hit with a brick. WHITE BAD. WHITE BAD. WHITE BAD.