MPAA Rating: PG/Genre: Fantasy Comedy/Stars: Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Belissa Escobedo, Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sam Richardson, Doug Jones, Tony Hale, Hannah Waddingham, Froy Gutierrez, Ginger Minj, Kornbread Jeté, Kahmora Hall, Taylor Paige Henderson, Nina Kitchen, Juju Journey Brener, Austin J. Ryan/Runtime: 107 minutes
I think it can be safely said that, upon its release all the way back in the far-gone year of 1993, the original Hocus Pocus was one film that may have made an alright splash when it first hit theaters for the House of Mouse, but which eventually showed it had more longevity playing on cable TV rather than in the multiplex. Indeed the fact that it takes place on Halloween mixed with a wonderful blend of both comedy as well as horror that could be enjoyed by all ages, has helped to ensure this proverbial “Little Film That Could” is now time-honored viewing for certain groups of people let alone a 90s entry on Disney’s cult classic filmography. Yet even though the fact that it is always on TV around this time to say nothing of now available to watch whenever for Disney+ subscribers doing a wonderful job of ensuring that this film hadn’t really disappeared into the mists of time, there is one thing that fans have long clamored for and that (surprise surprise) is a sequel. However, even with the demand for one very much there, I was still pleasantly surprised to discover that one was actually being released that may have a new helmer and a cast of about 95% new characters, but was still able to thankfully and happily bring back Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker for another go-around of goofy villainy as the sinister Sanderson Sister trio (trying saying that five times fast). Of course, let’s be honest dear reader: if there is any reason why this sequel is finally coming to fruition it is undoubtedly due to the fact that its predecessor is easily accessible on either DVD, TV every year, or on Disney+ as previously stated. This is because, by having it easily accessible, the film is able to keep its fanbase growing whilst also satisfying a nostalgic craving for those who remember seeing it when they were kids. Of course, this can prove to be a double-edged sword for this film since it needs to meet the bar set up by the first one even as that bar has been coated with close to 3 solid decades of nostalgia along the way. To that end, you should know that this follow-up doesn’t entirely get to the level of the first film, but honestly that’s not surprising. However, if you are prepared to have me slam this film into the ground like quite a few of my fellow reviewers have done then you should know that is not going to happen either. That’s because this film, for all its flaws including a subtraction in the spooky element and a significant increase in the comedy element, gives the viewer exactly what it says it is going to do and that is give the viewer the long-awaited and delightful return of a trio of spooky film season icons in an all-new story. Suffice it to say that if that is what you were hoping all these long years for then I think you’ll find a fair amount to enjoy here, but if not then why exactly do you have this on your TV or computer screen right now?
The plot is as follows: Following a vital to the story flashback prologue that I won’t spoil here for obvious reasons, our story moves ahead in real time and drops us back off in the very familiar locale of Salem albeit now in the year 2022. In the time since we’ve last been here, we see that a new generation may have cropped up and the home of the town bogeywomen that are the infamous Sanderson Sisters may have been changed into a kitschy Bath and Body Works-style magic shop for the tourists and other interested parties, but there are still teens who are trying to make their way through the most horrifying thing of all: life (gasp). In the case of this installment, the aforementioned teens are a pair of teens/BFFS by the name of Becca and Izzy respectively who, as the story gets underway, are getting ready to take part in festivities for both Halloween and Becca’s sweet sixteen even if their other friend Cassie won’t be joining them due to being estranged from the two ever since she discovered something called “popularity”. Even with that looming heavily in their minds however, we see that the two nevertheless make their way to the aforementioned magic shop that is run by a seemingly kindhearted man named Gilbert who, for their yearly ritual that they do on Becca’s birthday, gifts her with a candle. However, later that night we, along with the duo, quickly discover that this candle is no mere candle that you simply blow out and make a wish to. Rather, it is a certain type of candle that, with certain other conditions having been unknowingly checked off, has allowed the Sanderson Sisters to rise up once again and run amok all over Salem. Thus, it is up to our dynamic duo, with Cassie, to renew their bonds of sisterhood and work together in order to stop this sinister trio before they manage to find a stage and get their long-awaited ultimate revenge on all of Salem……
Now in terms of the work being done behind the camera, it should be noted that in many respects this is one area where this slice of cinema can be a bit on the hit or miss side of things. That’s because, despite the good work at the helm by Anne Fletcher (taking over here for Kenny Ortega) and the other departments at giving this film the feel of one of the old school Disney Channel original movies, it is very much torpedoed by the fact that this film doesn’t look like one of the iconic Disney Channel movies that audiences got back in the 90s, but rather one that is coming to us from the past two weeks. On top of that, it is also worthy of mentioning that this slice of cinema seems to have significantly redacted the creepy element that was a delightfully and fairly consistent presence in the first one and upped the goofy comedy quite a bit as well. Yet even with this imbalance very much in place, there is no denying that this slice of cinema is still quite a bit of fun even if it also enjoys checking off the necessary boxes that fans of the original are wanting to see this one fulfill. So do we get to witness the Sanderson Sisters take the stage once more? Absolutely even if this time the song being performed is One Way or Another by Blondie. Do we get to see the Sisters engage in comedic shenanigans with present day technology? Again yes with particular regard to an extended sequence of them engaged in mischief at Walgreen’s that is most assuredly a film highlight. Also are our teenage heroines having to find a way to keep the Sisters from wreaking horrific vengeance on all of Salem as they know it? Yes, but this time they’re not alone. Suffice it to say that, flaws and all, this slice of cinema is very much a nostalgia trip that is trying to please several distinct groups of movie goers at the same time and to varying degrees it is somewhat successful at ensuring they are all satisfied with the final product here.
Of course, I can go on and on about all the work done behind the camera, but I have no doubt that the one thing you are concerned about is the work by the performers in front of the camera especially with regard to three performances in particular. Well thankfully I can now put your fears in that distinct category to rest and let you know that close to 3 decades may have come and gone, but Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy manage to do just as fanfreakingtastic as they did back in 1993 in their roles of Winnie, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson respectively. Indeed not only does this dynamic trio slip back into their respective characters with an ease, but they all still manage to have wonderful chemistry with each other. Suffice it to say that this slice of cinema may have its issues, but trust me when I say that the brilliant reprisals done by this dynamic trio certainly go a long way toward making up for them. Now along with their performances, it should be noted that the performances by some of the new faces on the witchin’ block are also fairly well done as well. This starts with our two leads Whitney Peak and Belissa Escobedo as Becca and Izzy and they are terrific. Indeed not only are the two genuinely believable as life-long friends, but they also imbue their characters with a relatability that makes it easy to root for them as they deal with both the return of the Sanderson Sisters and their attempts to reunite their own fractured sisterhood with third friend Cassie. Speaking of that aforementioned friend it should be noted that whilst yes Lilia Buckingham does do good in the role, I also feel that the narrative kind of shortchanges her a little bit which is a bit problematic given how integral she is to the story for reasons I won’t spoil here. Suffice it to say though that, when you also factor in wonderful co-starring efforts from both Sam Richardson and Tony Hale, you get a group of performers who are willing to do everything in their power to make this slice of cinema a silly spooky good time.
All in all perhaps it is because the slice of cinema that is Hocus Pocus 2 is being conjured up for movie goers at this point in the long and storied saga of Disney cinema, but watching this I did make a very interesting discovery. That being that this slice of cinema really doesn’t take the viewer down as creepy or even as ominously dark paths as the first one did all those years ago. Yet despite the vibe of terror being taken down quite a few notches, I am not really as upset by this as I normally would be. That’s because by doing so, the older movie goers out there amongst you who grew up with the first one can now utilize this entry to serve as an entry point for your little movie goers (or kids as I have heard they are called) to operate as a sort of horror movie litmus test and see if they are ready for creepier viewing material. On top of that, the comedy that every so often places some jokes in the narrative that (fingers crossed) will hopefully go over your little movie goer’s head, but make you laugh from the first installment is very much transferred over to this one so the film does have that going for it. More than anything though, there is one thing that this slice of cinema does have going for it. That being that it is a fairly good follow up to the iconic original from 1993 to such an extent that I can see movie goers of a certain age getting together and watching both in a double feature complete with copious amounts of “liquid wizard brew” straight from the “cauldron” (figure it out). Yes there are some follow-ups that are just aiming to do the same old spells that worked in the first one, but to this film’s credit it manages to incorporate some new spells that work just as well as the original incantations which still work like a charm that in the case of this slice of cinema mostly takes the form of the returning trio of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy who are all just as freaking awesome as the Sanderson Sisters as they were all the way back in the early 90s. As it is though, there is no denying that, flaws and all, Hocus Pocus 2 should prove to put a big smile on the face of anyone out there who loves the exploits of the Sanderson Sisters and was a part of the ever-growing crowd who, for over three decades, had been politely yet firmly poking and prodding the people over at the proverbial House of Mouse to resurrect them and give them another movie. Plus who knows dear reader? Maybe now with a steady and reliable streaming service to their name, enough people who love the first one seeing what was cooked up here and liking it, and (of course) the power of another Black Flame Candle (should one exist) perhaps the powers that be at Disney will ensure this won’t be the last time we get to see this sinister sister trio be it through repeat viewings, yearly holiday specials, or (ideally) another installment in their spellbinding saga. Make of that what thou will dear reader. On a scale of 1-5 I give Hocus Pocus 2 a solid 3 out of 5.
