A quick clarification for those who haven’t figured it out yet…Candyman 2021 is NOT a remake. It is a sequel. And we all know how bad most sequels are. *Sigh*

In the 1992 cult classic, we were introduced to one of the most magnificent serial killers in modern day movies – the Candyman, portrayed eloquently by the one and only Tony Todd. Fast forward almost 30 years later, and Jordan Peele brings forth his pragmatic vision of Candyman in the 21st Century…another so-called legendary tale of caution passed around the Chicago projects known as Cabrini-Green.

This new Candyman is once again depicted by the remarkable Todd…however, not as enigmatic. No fault of Todd as his performances are always brilliant. I blame the writing.

The love for Candyman of the 90’s doesn’t quite grip you in the same fashion here. In fact, this Candyman is almost non-existent…and mute. Most of Tony’s Todd performance to create the role was comparable to Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones – it’s all in the voice! The hypnotic prose that flowed from his lips was incredibly soothing. It made you forget that he was about to strike his victim(s) with a crude right hook for a hand. Stupendously spellbinding!

Candyman 2021 invites us back to the projects in the late 1970’s where a young boy has his first encounter with the infamous boogeyman. And I admit that it lured me in. Skip to present day, the tale of this monster is conveyed from a flamboyant Troy (exceptional performance from Stewart-Jarrett) to his sister and her boyfriend, Brianna and Anthony. Being a struggling artist, Anthony embraces this extraordinary story and begins extensive research to build into his new gallery display. Along this journey, it’s predictably translated into unleashing the terror by saying his name 5x into a mirror. Or…rather like coaxing others to perform the dare.

Anthony becomes the prime protagonist, resisting the urge to warn others against releasing the evil until it’s too late and Candyman has brutally mutilated the followers who tested the challenge.

Now for the weak moments, as there were many…

Several characters and plots inserted into this overly complicated follow-up were simply unnecessary. The teens in the bathroom, the girl on the toilet listening to the carnage, the art critic, Brianna’s backstory and even Burke (the boy from the beginning who later informs Anthony of what he experienced as a child) were all pointless. Complete filler shit that was more annoying than anything else.

Jordan Peele has a reputation for his complexed relationship with race. Growing up as mixed race, it’s interesting to watch his take in many situations such as Get Out, Us, and BlacKkKlansman. That said, Candyman seemed racially charged when there was no essential need for it. Only 10% of the characters he created, still resided in low-income housing apartments of Cabrini-Green. It was willfully done in an uncomfortable way that the tinge of unanswered questions kept looming for the entire film.

The final gripe is the convoluted storyline to get to a most predictable twist. Although it helps to see the original Candyman, this sequel stressed what brought us to the current time through mentions of Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen’s character), for instance. So, it’s not mandatory to see the 1992 movie…but it sure does beat the hell out of this one.