Rish Outfield's reviews
I found this to be quite the scary movie when I first saw it a few years ago. In the second viewing, I found a couple of things (the setting and locale and Virginia Madsen's performance) just as effective, but other things lacking (Phillip Glass's always annoying two-tone musical score). Based on a story by Clive Barker, Candyman delves into his comfortable realm of pain and pleasure, with the almost philosophical ghost preaching about the power of belief and the ecstasy of physical death. I've said it before, that just ain't my cup o' tea (in fact, I don't even like tea). But I like a lot about this movie, more than the other films based on Barker's works.
The setting of the projects/ghetto and of apartments connected through the bathroom mirror is unique and really works. There's the rational fear of the kind of people who populate such places, added to the irrational fear of what might lurk within the walls. The characters are likable and believable. The fact that everyone believes that Virginia Madsen's character Helen is the one committing the murders is a disturbing and effective part of this film, certainly better than Candyman's incessant "Be my victim"s.
I have, for most of my life, been terrified by the thought that I could look in a mirror and see something standing in the room with me. I don't know where I first saw that happen (it could be something I was born with, just as tyranist was born afraid of moths), but it features prominently in this film and its sequels. At times the music is very effective (mostly early on before I realized that this was the same repetition of notes we had been hearing the whole time), and the fear everyone has of the title character is chilling.
But therein also lies the weak point of the film: with all we know about Candyman by the time we actually see him, he's just not that scary. Whoa, whoa, hear me out. Tony Todd is a formidable and striking-looking man, with a resonating voice and a great stance, but his character, rather than being a spectre of unholy evil, is tragic, sad, and a reminder of our shameful past. Unlike Fred Krueger, who was the absolute WORST thing a person can be, and paid for his crimes by vigilante justice, Candyman's atrocious act was loving someone society said he couldn't love. He too met his fate at the hands of vigilante justice, but instead of thinking of the vengeful ghost with disgust, we can't help but pity him. Also in comparing him with Krueger, what diluted Freddy's scare power was the things he said in later sequels. Candyman, right from the get go has more chattiness than Freddy ever had, and delivers his lengthy verses even while stalking someone. So while being physically imposing, especially with the hook and the bees, Todd's character creates a rainbow array of emotions, and that's less scary than it could be. I really enjoy the idea of saying Candyman's name five times in a mirror to get him to appear. As a young boy, we had our own ghost in the elementary school (before it was torn down) that we'd dare one another to try and conjure up, and it makes me wonder, who is more foolish, a cerebral adult who chants in front of a mirror to see if spirits will show, or an imaginative child who does the same?
I'd Recommend It To: Most modern horror fans have seen it (my own mother was watching it the last time I visited home), but if you missed it, it's well worth a viewing.

The tyranist's thoughts
This is easily the best (blatantly) urban legend based movie there is. It is very scary but it still takes time to discuss urban legends, their sources and why they keep happening. Of course, when the Candyman comes, the matter of urban legend becomes moot and suddenly the lovely Virginia Madsen is thrust into a psychotic world where she is a ghost's gate to immortality. Cool. As you might be able to tell, I love Virginia Madsen and now I think Tony Todd has stepped up to be one of my favorite monster men (as much as I dislike Freddy, Robert Englund is still the tops). Seeing this movie with a bunch of friends would probably add tons to the sleepover story atmosphere. I will definitely be checking out the sequels.