The music video, directed by , is a surreal, candy-themed masterpiece influenced by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , Alice in Wonderland , and the board game Candy Land .
Reviews for the video and track were largely positive, though some critics pointed out its "over-the-top" nature. The music video, directed by , is a
Released in May 2010 as the lead single for the Teenage Dream album, was a definitive pop cultural moment that cemented Katy Perry as a global superstar. A colorful, synth-pop anthem designed as a West Coast response to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind," it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the biggest summer hits of the decade. The Music Video: "Candyfornia" A colorful, synth-pop anthem designed as a West
Fine artist Will Cotton served as the artistic director, basing many of the video's giant sets and surreal imagery on his own paintings. Critical Reception The music video