“Hocus Pocus 2” stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, all reprising their roles as the Sanderson sisters Winifred, Sarah and Mary.
The film also stars Whitney Peak as Becca, Belissa Escobedo as Izzy and Lilia Buckingham as Cassie, and is directed by Anne Fletcher. The film is only available for streaming on Disney+.
“Hocus Pocus 2” is the sequel to the fan favorite Halloween movie “Hocus Pocus,” which came out in 1993. There was much speculation about a Hocus Pocus sequel, and a few years back Disney confirmed the news to fans that it was in the works.
The film starts with the Sanderson sisters as children in Salem, Massachusetts, with the audience being introduced to some characters from their past including Billy Butcherson, portrayed by Doug Jones. The film also portrays to the audience how the sisters received their powers from the Mother Witch.
The film then transitions to the present day with Becca and Izzy lighting the Black Flame Candle, from the original movie, that brings back the Sanderson sisters. The trio of sisters return and decide to take their revenge on Salem by using the Magicae Maxima spell, which they need to collect an assortment of ingredients. With Becca, Izzy and Cassie trying to stop them and figure out a way to get rid of them.
Becca, Izzy and Cassie all represent a Sanderson sister in their own way from their personality to how they dress. Becca is reminiscent of Winifred Sanderson because she is the leader of the trio and wears green and purple in the film. Izzy wears oranges and purples like Mary in her clothing and Cassie wears pinks and purples in her outfits like Sarah.
“Hocus Pocus 2” did not bring with it the magic of the original film with the film being more like a film made for television that doesn’t get as much attention, compared to a film made for the big screen. It also does not capture the original charm and magic of “Hocus Pocus” from 1993.
With only a portion of the cast returning and many new characters being introduced, the film did not live up to the original.
With the movie focusing on the sisters but also the trio of friends the viewers don’t get to know the friends as well because the film is more focused on the sisters. And, most viewers do not remember facts about the friends, including forgetting even their names.
Overall the film was an attempt to replicate the Halloween classic of “Hocus Pocus” but did not succeed.