Candyman 2 - Farewell to the Flesh (1995)

33% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(50,821 ratings)

This sequel to director Bernard Rose's superb, metaphorical Candyman is a more straightforward Gothic horror project, discarding any association with the events of the previous film (which was based on the short story "The Forbidden" by horror surrealist Clive Barker) aside from the title entity,… More This sequel to director Bernard Rose's superb, metaphorical Candyman is a more straightforward Gothic horror project, discarding any association with the events of the previous film (which was based on the short story "The Forbidden" by horror surrealist Clive Barker) aside from the title entity, played again by the imposing Tony Todd. A melancholy but extremely deadly ghost, Candyman is revealed -- in a compelling sequence of flashbacks -- as the vengeful spirit of Daniel Robitaille, a black portraitist in post-Civil War Louisiana who was set upon and horribly mutilated by an angry white mob in retaliation for his affair with a plantation owner's daughter. In present-day New Orleans, at the height of Mardi Gras festivities (the film's title refers to the literal translation of the Latin "Carnival"), Candyman walks the realm of the undead, with a hook in place of the hand he lost to the lynch mob, waiting to be summoned by the recitation of his name five times into a mirror. The latest victims of his evisceration skills include members of the Tarrant family, with young schoolteacher Annie (Kelly Rowan) next in line. Her family's connection with the Candyman legend is eventually revealed when Annie visits the family estate to uncover the link between her ancestors and Daniel Robitaille himself. This is a well-executed horror film, with fine performances and good use of the subtle menace underlying the Mardi Gras ambience, but the deft hand of Barker is clearly absent, leaving a standard horror plot without the mythical resonance of the original. The chilling Philip Glass score is a definite plus, though. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Bill Condon
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Aug 28, 2001
Studio: PolyGram Video

Critic Reviews

Brian Juergens, CampBlood.org
Maybe "Farewell to the Franchise" would have been a more appropriate title - this retread of the very scary original is a mildly hilarious mess.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
One heck of a scary movie
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...esentially a retread of the original.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Superior sequel to the rather silly original helped by stylish direction
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Horror fans might dig it a little bit; I'll just stick with the original.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Candyman 2- Farewell To The Flesh is a terrific follow up to Candyman. The story is set in New Orleans, and in this film we have a back story to the Candyman.The film surrounds a school teacher whos father was killed by the Candyman. The teachers brother is wrongfully accused of the… More
Candyman 2- Farewell To The Flesh is a terrific follow up to Candyman. The story is set in New Orleans, and in this film we have a back story to the Candyman.The film surrounds a school teacher whos father was killed by the Candyman. The teachers brother is wrongfully accused of the murders and she seeks answers to the Candyman legend. Like I've mentioned, Farewell To The Flesh adds a back story and goes in depth on why the Candyman kills. We find out he was a slave in love with a white woman, and the woman bore him a child, the father of the woman was infuriated, and formed a lynch mob. They cut off his hand, and spread honey all over him, and he died of numerous bee stings. This sequel is pretty impressive and is almost as good as the original. But of course you can't beat the original film. Tony Todd gives a phenomenal performance as Candyman. Farewell To The Flesh is one creepy and entertaining sequel. Clive Barker produces this terrifying sequel, and the scares are top notch. Farewell To The Flesh is a terrific, underrated horror film that every Horror fan should check out. I really don't understand why this sequel has gotten such a bad rep. But in most case, ignore the negative critiques of this film, I am a diehard Horror fan and I thoroughly enjoyed this film. If you loved the first film, and you needed answers to the questions that you had, then this film might answer quite a few. A well made, and terrifying sequel.
Coxxie M

ha tony Todd is such a has-been now. i saw an interview of hin talking about working on the Crow and he was talking about how mysterious his character is and breaking down his personality and everything, its like dude, youre 1 line in the movie was "they call him the… More
ha tony Todd is such a has-been now. i saw an interview of hin talking about working on the Crow and he was talking about how mysterious his character is and breaking down his personality and everything, its like dude, youre 1 line in the movie was "they call him the avenger". man thats dynamic! how did Tony Todd not get an Oscar for the Crow!? cmon people
Lafe F

Just as compelling and creepy as the original Candyman movie. I was spooked once again! The setting is New Orleans this time, during the Carnival. The first film had a huge bonfire; this one has a huge flood of water; for a spectacular memorable end sequence.
Dean !

A pretty good sequel which explains the legend a bit more.
xGary X

This sequel to a decent but unspectacular horror flick is a rarity; it actually adds to the original rather than diminishing it in a half-arsed and soulless attempt to milk it for cash. I'm a fan of Tony Todd and he fleshes out the backstory of the "dreaded" Candyman… More
This sequel to a decent but unspectacular horror flick is a rarity; it actually adds to the original rather than diminishing it in a half-arsed and soulless attempt to milk it for cash. I'm a fan of Tony Todd and he fleshes out the backstory of the "dreaded" Candyman with reasonable style.
danny d

terrible
Eduardo C

As conventional as its predecessor was unconventional. The best moments are lifted from the original and Bill Condon (Oscars or no) is no Bernard Rose. Still, even his lack of visual sense, the often incompetent direction, the terrible editing and awful writing cannot fully eclipse… More
As conventional as its predecessor was unconventional. The best moments are lifted from the original and Bill Condon (Oscars or no) is no Bernard Rose. Still, even his lack of visual sense, the often incompetent direction, the terrible editing and awful writing cannot fully eclipse the menace, nuance and pathos of Mr. Tony Todd, a far better actor than he has ever been given credit for being, and the beauty of New Orleans.
Nicky M

Decent backstory builds up this ok follow up to the original.
Adam M

Not a bad sequel.
Christopher B

Farewell to a possibly good franchise.
Barry L

Dont bother.
Matthew A

This one was almost as good as the first film, but it was pretty much repeating the first film and not adding a lot of new stuff. However it does continue to give more info on story of Candyman. Also Candyman kills a lot more people in this one.
Kit X

oh dear