Although Hocus Pocus 2 can’t quite capture the magic of its predecessor, its entertaining antagonists are more than enough to keep it aloft.
Overall Score: 7/10
Image: Disney+
“Lock up your children! Yes, Salem, we’re back!” Indeed, almost 30 years after the release of the original Hocus Pocus, the Sanderson sisters have returned to haunt (and entertain) us.
Hocus Pocus 2 sees the three witches accidentally resurrected by a pair of teenagers. And with the former group now out for revenge, the latter must find a way to stop them before it’s too late.
I don’t exactly have a lot to say about the film as it’s simple and quite the opposite of complex, so you’ll have to excuse the shortness of this review. Nevertheless, I’m happy to report that the movie is a pretty decent follow-up to its predecessor. And although it might not feel necessary, it does at least try to do something new and different, which, for me, is enough to justify its existence.
To start, Hocus Pocus 2 has the benefit of being able to bring its reanimated, centuries-old witches into 2022. A lot has changed since 1993, and seeing these characters interact with the modern world is a ton of fun. Several hilarious jokes and scenes involve this, and I must admit that the film elicited a good amount of laughter from me.
Also, it’s just great seeing Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy back in their respective roles again. The three have terrific chemistry and it’s amazing how they’re able to seamlessly slip back into these characters after having not played them for nearly three decades. In my opinion, Midler, in particular, is once again the highlight of the three. Her over-the-top performance is just so much fun to watch and it’s easily one of the best things about the movie.
Another positive, I suppose, is that, as characters, the Sanderson sisters have more depth this time around. They’re given a backstory which makes it easier for us to relate to and sympathize with them. And in turn, this helps make the ending (which I won’t spoil) feel more personal and bittersweet overall.
There’s only one major problem I have with the film, and that has to do with the writing. Simply put, it’s lazy at certain points. The best example I can think of concerns a subplot that involves one of the protagonists gaining magical powers. It comes out of nowhere and only causes confusion for the viewer. Worse still is the fact that the movie’s excuse is something along the lines of “so much of what has already happened in the story doesn’t make a ton of sense.” That’s not a valid excuse. That’s just being lazy. And while you could argue that the first Hocus Pocus wasn’t all that outstanding in terms of its writing either, it at least stuck to the simplicity of its premise and avoided overcomplicating things.
All in all, although Hocus Pocus 2 certainly isn’t The Godfather Part II or The Empire Strikes Back, it’s still pretty decent in terms of being a sequel. It’s campy, nostalgic, and a whole lot of fun. And although — much like its predecessor — it’s obviously not something that the vast majority of film critics will love, most people will probably enjoy it. So, if you’re a fan of the original Hocus Pocus or you’re just looking for a good way to pass the time during this time of year, sit back, grab a broom and a poisoned apple, and give Hocus Pocus 2 a watch.
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