Collette’s Review: Hocus Pocus 2

The Sanderson sisters cast a spell on audiences in the 90s. Now, the witches are back in this brand new sequel hitting Disney Plus. But is the sequel as enchanting as the original?

Hocus Pocus is a cult classic. The original film may not have put a spell on the box office, but it has become a beloved classic for many millennials. Growing up, I had an infatuation with the film. I watched it relentlessly, to the point where my grandmother just couldn’t be in the same room while it was on. Much like other kids who grew up in the 90s, my love for the sisters never faded.

The sequel to this spellbinding film is highly anticipated. Mainly because it was announced, some of your favorite characters are returning. To its credit, the sequel bears the markings of the classic, but sadly, it doesn’t hold a candle to the original.

Hocus Pocus 2 is cashing in on the nostalgia. It’s surprisingly not bad, but it’s missing the magic of the first film. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy all return as the Sanderson Sisters, along with Doug Jones reprising his role as Billy Butcherson. Bringing the famous cast back helped sell the recreation of all the moments you loved. Unfortunately, it feels like it’s trying to replicate the past instead of forging a new future.

The Story

The story starts in Salem with The Sanderson Sisters in their teen years. The three young actresses picked to play the iconic roles did a fabulous job at portraying some of the most notable performances of our time. The beginning of the film shows how The Sanderson Sisters grew into their witchy ways.

We cut to modern-day Salem, where friends Becca (Whitney Peak) and Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) are preparing their annual Halloween night ritual. This year, however, the third to their coven, Cassie (Lilia Buckingham), will not be joining them. Through a series of unfortunate events, The Sanderson Sisters are back. Now, the three friends must work together to rid the town of the witches.

We could have had a prequel that ended with the modern-day instead of trying to recreate the first movie. Bringing the story into the present day makes this sequel feel like every other Disney Channel Original Movie. I understand that they were hoping to gain a new, younger audience with this one, but it felt like they were just doing this to make content for Disney Plus. The humor was hokey and cheesy. There were a few bits that played well, but most of the comedy fell flat. Midler, Parker, and Najimy are powerhouses and could sell comic moments no matter how bad the material is. If the film doesn’t flop, It’s because of them.

It sounds like I’m being harsh, but I actually did enjoy this movie. They were banking on nostalgia, and it works. The three new leads are fabulous, and they hold their own against the veterans. This sequel is also really diverse and female-driven. And there’s a lot more insight into “Book.” I hope moving forward, if they decide to do another movie or perhaps a series, it sticks to the new characters and leaves the originals in the dust. It’s great to have a callback or two, but this would benefit from a complete revamp and not a rehash.

The Conclusion

Hocus Pocus 2 is a fun nostalgic movie. The story was good but could have been better. It was great to see our favorite witches again, but it was also lovely to see a new group that could potentially have their own series. You’ll be disappointed if you expect this to be the same as the original. But if you go in with an open mind knowing this was made for the kids of today, it’s really not bad. It may just put a spell on you.