Despite its critical and box office woes, “Hocus Pocus” has prevailed as a Halloween classic since its 1993 release thanks to its infectious camp, charming, yet cartoonish leads and family-friendly take on the macabre. Naturally, the announcement of the cult classic’s sequel left many fans itching to be spellbound by the Sanderson sisters once more. Thankfully, “Hocus Pocus 2” retains the magic which made its predecessor so popular.
Set in modern-day Salem, the film sees the Sanderson sisters, Winifred (Bette Midler, “The Addams Family 2”), Mary (Kathy Najimy, “Single All the Way”) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker, “And Just Like That…”) return from the grave after being fortuitously summoned by two teenagers. Chaos ensues as the trio of revenge-seeking witches scour the town to gather ingredients for an all-powerful forbidden spell.
Picking up right where they left off, the Sanderson sisters’ return to screen bears a quantity of zaniness and fun which perfectly encapsulates the first film’s eccentric charm. Midler, Najimy and Parker each appear perfectly at home reprising their roles, landing nearly every comedic beat while also going decent lengths to help to deepen each of the sisters’ characterizations.
Though “Hocus Pocus 2’s” special effects fail to go beyond the quality of Disney Channel Original Movies, their simplistic, often silly appearances further emulate the look and tone of the original film. For millennial viewers, the film could very well be taken as a much-needed blast from the past.
Embracing shortcomings of many modern reboots, “Hocus Pocus 2’s” dependence on nostalgic call-backs and frequent humor surprisingly works in its favor to help shroud its unremarkable story. Its willingness to stay mostly by-the-books allows it to capture the spirit of its predecessor, albeit in a manner slightly less special or memorable.
This is not to say the film does not bring anything new to its world or characters. Its modern-day setting makes for a refreshingly humorous foil for the Sandersons, who struggle to adapt to their surroundings and modern technology. Shameless product placement in these scenarios ironically contribute further to the ensuing hilarity, like when the Sandersons visit a pharmacy, believing it to be an apothecary.
The film also helps to further develop the Sanderson sisters by providing further backstory to their origins and relationship. The idea of sisterhood is greatly touched upon throughout the film and is greatly resonant when applied to the witches’ sibling dynamic and sporadic rivalry with one another. The theme also works to convey the relationship between its three teenage leads, albeit in a manner which feels somewhat shoehorned into the narrative. Regardless, its focus on sisterhood contributes a level of heart to the film greatly lacking in the first, thus giving it an edge on an emotional level.
Following a recent string of unnecessary Disney sequels, remakes and reboots, “Hocus Pocus 2” surprisingly justifies its existence by doing something other products have failed to do: being itself. Rather than feeling like a modernized, taxidermied version of a beloved movie, it instead appears to be both visually and tonally stuck in the era of its roots. Though it may never live up to the cult status garnered by its predecessor, fans looking for a double dose of the Sanderson sisters may find themselves delighted by the sequel’s comparably bewitching qualities.
Photo via Walt Disney Studios via YouTube
