Hocus Pocus 2

1993's Hocus Pocus is one of those films whose massive cult following has always mystified me.  Despite being a box office flop back in its day, it's since become a Halloween classic that is celebrated by many.  While I can admit to a few of its charms, the movie as a whole turns me off each time I have given it a chance.  The just-released to streaming Hocus Pocus 2 is bound to win over most, but just like before, I'm left scratching my head wondering about its massive appeal.  

I must admit up front, there is a bit more here that I liked than before.  It has a unique spin that casts its three young heroes, best friends Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) and Cassie (Lilly Buckingham), as witches themselves, giving the film an interesting angle as these girls have to learn to rely on each other and the hidden power within them in order to defeat the evil Sanderson Sisters who have returned after 29 years to torment Salem.  I liked all three of the young performers, who give grounded performances, and have great chemistry.  In fact, I found myself thinking I'd rather see a movie focused solely on them, their relationship, and their budding magical ability, which is only touched on here.

Instead, the focus is on the Sandersons, who have been given more screen time than before, and not to the film's benefit.  I know, they are the reason so many love the original, but their Three Stooges-inspired antics have always kind of grated on me, and having the sequel focus stronger on it did not win me over.  Once again Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) have been reborn after Becca and Izzy accidentally revive them during a ceremony in the dark woods on Halloween night.  Their main goal is to find their magic book so that they can cast a spell of ultimate power that would make them truly unstoppable.  Like before, the movie tries to have fun with these 17th Century witches discovering the modern age, with references to robot vacuums, Siri, and Walgreens.  

I will be honest, a little of the Sandersons goes a long way with me, and this movie goes a bit overkill.  It also makes a very odd decision regarding these characters.  While they were plainly villains last time, killing and stealing the souls of children in order to stay eternally young, the sequel almost seems to be trying to make us sympathize with them, especially near the end.  Last time, the humor and slapstick antics of the Sisters seemed to be inserted in order to soften them, and make them more appropriate for a family audience.  This time, they have almost been sanitized, and are so constantly goofy, they never once seem threatening.  Heck, there are even characters in this movie who outright say that the Sisters are misunderstood.  

Hocus Pocus 2 lets its intentions be known right away by opening with a prologue that shows the Sandersons as teenagers being feared by their village, and how they only had each other to rely on.  And while the young actresses they got to play the child versions of these characters do an excellent job of emulating the performances of Midler, Najimy and Parker, the fact that the movie wants us to somewhat relate and sympathize with them seems a bit bizarre.  It doesn't get much better when the movie throws in a tacked on sappy climax to close out things.  I was a bit confused by how the movie wanted me to react to them.  Are they madcap bunglers, or are they really misunderstood, like the movie tries to tell us?

It's not that the film doesn't have its appeal.  As mentioned, all of the young actors are wonderful here, and give the film relatability.  And even if I did find their antics a bit much after a while, the three returning veteran leads are obviously relishing this comeback, and having a blast.  It can even be fun from time to time.  But like last time, the movie as a whole simply failed to charm me.  It recreates some fan favorite moments from the first, while adding just enough new, which I'm sure is all most viewers are going to care about.  It's also a bit of a shame that the movie never really explores some of the new characters it introduces.  There's a goofy Mayor (Tony Hale) who gets a couple good scenes, and the owner of a local magic shop (Sam Richardson) who gets this film's plot rolling.  And the always-welcome Doug Jones is back as Billy the Zombie, and grumpy as ever about being back from the dead.  

Hocus Pocus 2 was made for a distinct audience which I'm not a part of, and I can live with that.  If you love the first, you'll likely find a lot to enjoy here.  I truly hope you have fun, as that's what movies are for.  If I have to be honest, I liked this one better than the first, but not enough for me to change my mind about the original.

0 comments