The sequel begins with the origin story of how the sisters came to be the iconic bewitching trio, set in the brooding New England town of 17th-century Salem, famed for its witch trials. More ravenous than ever, the sisters set out to seek the sweet taste of children whilst attempting to navigate the mystifying modern town they were once so familiar with. Hubble, bubble, toil, and most definitely trouble is on the agenda for two highschool girls, Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) and Becca (Whitney Peak) who light the famous black flame candle, summoning the sisters back, whilst rekindling their friendship with once best friend Cassie (Lilia Buckingham), who becomes more interested in her male love interest. But after nearly three decades, the film felt more like a trick rather than a treat.
But after nearly three decades, the film felt more like a trick rather than a treat
The Sanderson sisters Mary, (Kathy Najimy) Winifred (Bette Midler), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) remain eccentric and outlandish as ever with their dark humour and quirky personalities. Their performance is a wave of nostalgia succeeding the original 1993 cult classic, but perhaps too reliant on this element, the sequel offered little in terms of a cohesive plot. The film felt more like a sentimental, coming-of-age story as opposed to a wacky horror/fantasy, focusing on friendship and high school woes and less on the pursuit of the witchy sisters' desire for youth. Homage to the spooky predecessor runs throughout the film, stringing it together, keeping an older audience in touch but not much can be said for the film when our campy coven are off-screen.
Despite the lack of charm from the sequel, this much was inevitable considering Hocus Pocus cult classic status.
Visually, Hocus Pocus 2 is no match for the original as it lacks that 90s film grain glow and feels much too polished. The greatly anticipated musical number is grander than that of the original town hall performance in which the trio quite literally put a spell on the town's adults in the iconic recital of I Put A Spell On You’. Rock'n'roll flare comes effortlessly to the Sandersons in the brainwashing gig, singing Blondie’s ‘One Way Or Another’, seamlessly entrancing the Halloween fairgoers but was substandard in comparison to the 1993 sequence. The anthropomorphic charm of the sisters' beloved ‘book’ remains endearing but the lack of our furry, four-legged friend black cat, Thackary Binx was a missed opportunity that could have been entertained.
Despite the lack of charm from the sequel, this much was inevitable considering Hocus Pocus cult classic status. The original set an electrifyingly wicked precedent, making it hard for the sequel to live up to. Nonetheless, Hocus Pocus 2 is an entertaining, feel-good watch for a crisp autumnal evening.
Hocus Pocus 2 is available on Disney+.
