Horror Movie Review: Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)

There are many horror movies that didn’t need a sequel. Horror movies that didn’t need an origin story for its villain. Candyman is one of those films.

Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh is a sequel to the phenomenally brilliant 1992 horror movie, Candyman. Adapted from a short story by Clive Barker, the first movie is a stellar piece of horror film making & is rightfully considered a classic. You can read our review here.

The very first thing you’ll notice about this sequel is that the events at the finale of the first film are not important. Although the actual plot is mentioned by Professor Philip Purcell (Michael Culkin) who has used the story to sell his book.

Even though he has sold his book based on the myth of the Candyman, Purcell doesn’t believe it. So much so that he demonstrates this in front of a crowd.

On his way home after the event he runs into Ethan Tarrant (William O’Leary) who accuses him of causing his father’s death. Purcell was approached by Ethan’s father convinced that the Candyman was real so Purcell told him to face his fear & say Candyman’s name 5 times.

Ethan’s father ended up dead & his son now blames Purcell. He openly makes an off the cuff remark about Purcell being next in a busy bar. So when the Professor is murdered it’s Ethan who gets the blame.

Arrested, he confesses to the murder & others, something that confuses his family, in particular is sister, Annie (Kelly Rowan). She doesn’t believe he is guilty so sets about proving his innocence by calling forth the Candyman on the eve of Mardi Gras!

Blood will spill…for what is it for if not for spilling?

There can be few complaints about Tony Todd’s portrayal of the hook-handed killer, he is as sinister & mysterious as always…that is until we get a ham-fisted backstory told in flashbacks that attempt to make him a sympathetic character. While it fits within the story, it just feels so wrong. It removes so much of this mystique & gives him motivation that falls flat in a disappointing finale.

Whatever message it may have been trying to tell regarding racism & the treatment of slaves is lost in a wave of blood & guts. Perfectly fine for a horror movie but the message is completely forgotten & pointless by time the credits roll.

It’s not a terrible sequel even with some bland & cheesy acting but doesn’t come close to touching the absolute quality of the original. A movie that was needed or wanted.