Hocus Pocus 2 Brings Heart, Magic, and Music! [Review]

Reboots are always polarizing, especially when it comes to something with so much Millennial nostalgia. I will say this upfront, Hocus Pocus 2 never stood a chance of being better or as good as the original. The 1993 film has too much childhood love, memories, and sentimentality that no matter what people would compare and dislike. That being said, I had a blast watching Hocus Pocus 2 and you should as well.

HOCUS POCUS 2 PREMISE

As we know from the original, the Sanderson Sisters were the most powerful witches in all of Salem. But, how? As we see in the trailer, Mother Witch (Hannah Waddingham) gives the sister their infamous grimoire, Book, when they were children. Then, we all know what happens next.

Now, 307 years after their death, and 29 years after their first return to Salem, the sisters are back! But, how? Turns out, there’s another black flame candle lit by another virgin, Becca (Whitney Peak), and her best friend Izzy (Belissa Escobedo). So now the two must set out to keep the witches from taking over the town, eating the souls of children, and sending them back from whence they came.

WHAT I WISH WAS DIFFERENT

I wanted more Mother Witch. I love that she’s a raven who watched over the woods and witches, but why introduce her to never use her again? She looks incredible and I want to know more.

The film is updated in a way that is super kiddy friendly, Disney-fied. In the original movie, there were a lot of teen jokes about boobs, and Sarah being super sexual – remember her sitting on the bus driver? I mean, Billy’s first line was calling Winnifred a “Bitch!” There are so many adult jokes in the original movie I didn’t catch until I was much older. However, the humor in Hocus Pocus 2 is less for adults and more for younger kids.

I also found the stakes to be lacking. We’re no longer worried about history repeating itself with a sister going missing and the witches wanting to eat her soul. Instead, it’s a fan-boy who makes a mistake and 3 friends finding their way back to each other. I’m also torn on giving children eating witches a redemptive arc.

THAT BEING SAID HOCUS POCUS 2 IS A FUN RIDE

Does Hocus Pocus 2 rock the boat or reinvent the wheel? Absolutely not. It’s basically a step-by-step version of the original. But do I care? Sure don’t. Bette Midler (The Politician), Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That), and Kathy Najimi (Single All The Way) slip these characters on like they played them yesterday. It would be easy to phone them in, but they ground and embrace the silliness and over-the-top wackiness like it’s nothing.

Since it’s the year 2022, so much has changed since the witches first came back to Salems 29 years ago. I loved the updated gags from not knowing what a Walgreens is, to the different types of brooms they ride on. The costumes also got a lovely update. Not enough to pull your eye, but just enough to know they have a bigger budget this time around.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Hocus Pocus movie without music! They don’t rehash “I Put A Spell On You“, instead we get 2 brand new numbers to relish in. Another one of my favorite moments is when the Sanderson Sisters first return and Becca and Izzy are watching them perform for themselves. I found it absolutely hilarious and self-aware. I also love seeing Doug Jones back as Billy because this world wouldn’t be the same without him.

Hocus Pocus 2 begins streaming on Disney+ on September 30th, 2022

KEEP READING