Movie Review: Candyman (2021)

5/10

A somewhat interesting reimagining/sequel that’s sorely lacking in scares and compelling characters

The 2021 Candyman serves as both a sequel to the hit 1992 film and a reinterpretation of the classic storyline. Produced and co-written by Jordan Peele, the core of the film’s scare tactic remains the same: say “Candyman” five times in front of a mirror, and a malicious spirit appears to kill you.

Like the original film, the 2021 comes equipped with social commentary. The horror genre is an excellent medium for social commentary. In this rendition, “Candyman” isn’t so much a specific spirit as it is the collective energies of an oppressed and predominately black district, and the tragedies within it (tragedies that repeat in various forms for over a century). As one character in the film puts it, “Candyman is the whole damn hive.” There are several iterations of Candyman, not just the original ghost: a spirit can emerge if a death comes equipped with enough injustice and brutality.

While the idea of the film is great, actor Tony Todd (who played the original Candyman, aka Daniel Robitaille) is sorely missed. He steals the show in the original film because his dialogue is terrifying and his voice is utterly mesmerizing. He doesn’t just take Helen as his victim: he completely seduces her.

Without Tony Todd, the force that is “Candyman” loses a lot of dimension and terror. I never felt the same chills down my spine.

I can’t recommend the film because there was not a moment of it that seemed remotely suspenseful. We see sequences where an invisible force violently guts its victims with a hook, but there is little buildup and minimal anticipation of danger.

It probably doesn’t help that most of the victims are basically cardboard cutouts who leave about as quickly as they’re introduced. We never really feel invested in their safety.

The film’s pacing also leaves a lot to be desired. It meanders for long stretches with only a quick and somewhat random killing to keep the audience’s attention. The ending ultimately feels abrupt and rushed.

While the film has some great moments (the animated sequences are stunning) and a solid theme for the urban legend to explore, as a horror film it’s just too bland to be effective.

Movie Review: Dune

6/10

A visually arresting but emotionally cold sci-fi epic.

The critics raved about Denis Villeneuve‘s adaptation of Dune. As a fan of Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, and Arrival, I wanted to deem it a masterpiece. But I just couldn’t.

The latest Dune adaptation is faithful to the classic Frank Herbert novel. The cinematography is breathtaking, the performances are solid, and the narrative hits the same major points as the novel. Political games and conniving leaders vie for control of Arakis, and ultimately “the spice”, which we are told is a key material for space transport.

Ultimately, I just didn’t feel anything for any of the characters. The film felt like a 2.5 hour introduction to a story, which leads little room for arcs or a full sense of a “hero’s journey”. Villains are only glimpsed and romantic arcs are only hinted at. Maybe that’s the problem: I need to see the saga in its entirety to really make a judgment call.

Still, I didn’t find Paul Atreides to be particularly arresting as a protagonist. The film didn’t really give us a reason to want him to ultimately become a “Messiah” for the Fremen, the natives on Arakis who have long been tormented and repressed by exploitative colonialists. I just didn’t really care. Maybe it’s because Paul himself doesn’t really seem to care for most of the film.

And maybe that’s the point, that everyone in the film is a political pawn for someone else. Duke Atreides is tragically just a pawn for the emperor, just as Paul is a pawn for the Bene Gesserit and their creepy breeding program (they are experimentally breeding with powerful figures in hopes of creating some sort of “savior” for the universe). I find that interesting, but it still didn’t make me feel much for anyone in the movie.

I may change my opinion when I’ve seen the second half of Dune. It has been officially greenlit and is slated for a 2023 theatrical release. Until then, I have to be honest with my reaction to the film, as someone who already read the book and watched the 80’s version: cool visuals, but meh.

Movie Review: Pig

10/10

A tour de force performance by Nicolas Cage and a contemplative narrative about loss, love, friendship, and materialism in modern society.

Pig is the first 2021 film I watched that left a strong imprint on my mind afterwards. The remarkable debut film by writer/director Michael Sarnoski tells the story of Rob Feld, an outsider living in what seems like self-imposed exile in the wilderness outside Portland with his pet trotter pig. He gets mugged and his pig gets stolen, and he embarks on a quest into the city to find her.

The story reveals Feld’s backstory layer by layer, and as we follow him we learn that he was once a renowned chef; we also learn of a loss that sent him away from the city. Actor Nicolas Cage is the perfect choice for Feld. Cage, an enigmatic actor whose career has spanned the full spectrum of artistic quality, delivers a masterpiece here. He is utterly believable, and our heart breaks with his through the course of this story.

Also impressive is actor Alex Wolff as Amir, the closest thing Feld has to a friend on his quest into the city. Amir needs the trotter pig for his own aspiring entrepreneurial endeavors. A genuine and believable friendship develops between the two of them.

Slow and deliberate in pace, the film is more meditative than a typical thriller that one might expect from such a narrative. Instead the film lets its themes shine over any action set pieces, with subjects including the contrast of nature and civilization, the things we give up in our quest for materialism, love, and loss.

The Pacific Northwest has a stunning and majestic natural landscape and the cinematography deftly captures its beauty.

This is a film that will sit in my mind for a long time. For me, it’s 2021’s best surprise.