Hocus Pocus 2

Hocus Pocus 2
Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Whitney Peak
Directed by Anne Fletcher

What does Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Allen Poe, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Anne Frank have in common? They all became famous after they died, but during their lives no one really knew who they were. In film, this occurs when a movie is released but bombs, and then is revived on home video and cable, turning it into a cult sensation - in a way, they become famous after their cinematic "demise." One such film is "Hocus Pocus," Earning just $44 million domestically in 1993, it seemed certain that the story of the Sanderson sisters would rest in the grave, but when it came out on DVD and cable, their popularity shot up tremendously, and now, 29 years later, you'll be hard pressed to not find some Sanderson merch at your local Halloween store. The film has become a mainstay for Halloween, showing almost on the daily throughout the entire month of October, and kids who grew up with it are now showing it to their kids, guaranteeing that these three bewitching witches will continue to hold their spell generation to generation. After years of talks, "Hocus Pocus 2" finally rose from the grave and provided a perfect balance of nostalgia and modern day humor that'll continue the long-lasting legacy.

Thirty years after the Sanderson sisters were banished from Salem, Becca (Whitney Peak) and her friend Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) are planning Becca's sixteenth birthday - the year a girl becomes a witch - with a ritual in the deep woods with a Black Flame Candle given to them by magic shop owner Gilbert (Sam Richardson). Unbeknownst to the girls, they accidentally summon the Sanderson sisters - leader Winnie (Bette Midler), dim-wit Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and loyal Mary (Kathy Najimy), and they set about wreaking havoc in Salem for their unjust deaths. Wanting more than to seek revenge for one night, Winnie decides to cast a dangerous spell known as the Magicae Maxima which will grant her unlimited power, and it's up to Becca, Izzy, their estranged friend Cassie (Lilia Buckingham), and a resurrected Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones) to stop the sisters before the sun rises.

What made "Hocus Pocus" such a popular Halloween treat is the fact that it's something the entire family can watch, even though it's about three witches who seek out to devour children. It's light-hearted and filled with humor, with an impeccable cast of characters, so it seemed almost impossible for lighting to strike twice - but that's just what happened with "Hocus Pocus 2." Serving more humor than horror, the sequel focuses on the importance of friendship and family, while providing nostalgic feelings mixed with modern-day humor, along with a catchy new song written by the greats Bernie Taupin and Elton John.

Winnie, Sarah, and Mary embark on a night of vengeance as they gather the ingredients needed to conduct their unholy spell, while Becca (who's a budding witch herself) and her friends Izzy and Cassie attempt to stop them. While the first film focused more on the human characters, this one feels like an homage to the legacy characters that 2022 is best known for, and the movie is all the better for it. The Sanderson sisters are the female equivalent to the Three Stooges, which is interesting because pretty much no one under the age of 30 has even heard of them. Winnie is Moe, the no-nonsense leader of the troupe, while Sarah is the Curly scatterbrain, and Mary is Larry, always trying to do the right thing. The actresses work brilliantly off one another, and it doesn't feel like almost thirty years has passed since they donned their wings, fake teeth, and outlandishly awesome wardrobes.

There was once talks of a "Hocus Pocus" spinoff without the delightful Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, and that would've been a national tragedy. You can't have "Hocus Pocus" without these three leading ladies, and the sequel proves why. Much like the magic they cast, it seems like no time has passed between the original and the sequel, as these three women show their true love for the legacy they started and ups the humor - as well as a surprising amount of heart for cold-blooded witches. Their familial dynamic is explored more here with a flashback, and you get a deeper connection between these three as more than just witches who share a familial bloodline, but who truly and deeply love one another - even though they drive each other nuts. While it feels like no time has passed, there's a running theme of meta humor throughout the film, as they find fans all over the place, and even take part in a hilarious Sanderson costume contest (did you know Charlie Chaplin and Dolly Parton both entered lookalike contests and lost?) that serves as a wink and a nod to the audience who've donned their costumes for decades to celebrate the unholy wonderful Halloween season.

Friendship is also a main theme of the film, and it's told through the eyes of Becca, Izzy, and Cassie, played by "Hocus Pocus" newcomers Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, and Lilia Buckingham. The three girls were once best friends, but had a falling out when Cassie started dating the school jock, and Becca and Izzy felt like they lost their best friend. Yet when push comes to shove, these three girls throw aside their earlier misgivings and reunite to stop the Sanderson sisters from accomplishing their naughty goals, proving once again that nothing is more powerful than friendship.

Proving you can't keep a good witch (or witches) down, "Hocus Pocus 2" serves as a perfect addition to the legacy of "Hocus Pocus" by focusing on the lovably evil Sanderson sisters and their habitual plot to seek revenge on Salem, while also introducing the budding franchise to a group of talented up-and-comers who could keep the franchise going. Although the use of green screen is obvious, it only adds to the nostalgic feel the movie delivers. Their spell remains just as enchanting as it was almost thirty years ago, and there's no denying that the witches are back for another exciting Halloween season.

The Score: A