Hocus Pocus 2

Hocus Pocus 2 uses a plethora of nostalgic references to the 1993 film. It follows basic legacyquel rules - bringing back characters and repeating old narrative concerns for a new audience. However, it's almost exactly the same premise, just set in contemporary times and touches on contemporary discussions around female empowerment.

Some of the jokes are funny, and Bette Midler brings star power, but I can't help but think this sequel tarnishes the original. Hocus Pocus 2 didn't have the fun and thrills of the first film. It is very Disneyfied. More child friendly, and has no real antagonist.

As a fan of the first film who watched it as a child, I hoped this sequel would have a continuation of story, and would trigger nostalgia in a positive way. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment.

I have always said that the first 'Hocus Pocus' is the best Halloween film for kids. It's a lot of fun, exciting, has a good amount of energy, has the right amount of horror to not put the kids off it and just makes you smile. So I was glad to see that the love for it gave birth to a long awaited sequel.

With the excitement comes the caution as sequels from 80's or 90's originals have a low success rate. But like with something like 'Top Gun: Maverick' I knew that in the right hands if they committed to the concept rather than try and make it contemporary to keep the interest of modern audiences, then this could be as fun as the original.

There is a promising start that will certainly engage the fans of the original and while the structure as a whole is very familiar, it still never felt like cash grab. There was enough to keep the story going while paying homage to its predecessor which is fine as that is the reason why this film finally exists.

The action isn't really as physical as before. But as a few of our stars are a bit seasoned now, some of the changes that they made to accommodate that never made the film drag for me.

The finale is certainly the film's high point as there is one moment that will get the fans emotional. It certainly caught me off guard. It left me very satisfied, and I think it will get a strong positive response with other loyal members of the fandom also.

Seeing the trio of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker was just great. They have not lost their touch or chemistry and Midler in particular can still put on a great show. It never felt they were phoning it in. It felt like they wanted to give something back to the fans which was wholly satisfying. It was also great seeing Doug Jones return. Jones is someone that does not get enough credit from people outside of the industry. You probably don't realise how much work Jones has done and his signature physical acting was put to good use once again.

As for the new cast, they weren't as instantly likable as the ones from the original. But they did a perfectly functional job to help the story move along and were thankfully never annoying.

It was great seeing parts of the original locations used and bringing back John Debney for that memorable score to be put to use once again. Some parts did look a bit too polished, too much like a set and never felt as dirty or authentic as its predecessor. The pacing is solid but could have been a bit more rampant to give it some adrenaline. The slightly longer running time doesn't help.

Other minor negatives to speak of was that the stakes never felt that big or consequential. I'm not totally surprised at this as Disney don't try to make things too scary or risky these days.

But that being said, the fun factor and energy is still there and despite its flaws I had a blast watching this. As a fan, it was great to see the gang bang together. While some of the nods, call backs and gags didn't all work, they largely were well executed. For non-fans, I feel this will remain a pleasurable watch. It does a good job celebrating its legacy and never tarnishing it. The emotional and highly satisfying finale proved that they were basically saying thank you to the fans for celebrating the original for so long.

I really hope I'm not the minority as I try to avoid seeing beloved projects through tinted eyes. But I think as a film it's perfectly fine with some nice moments that anyone can be invested in. But this will clearly satisfy the fans.

I must mention that there is a post credits scene. It's hard to not give a hint without spoiling it. So that's all say about it. It's there for you to discover yourself.

Took sheer will power to get through the first 10 minutes it was like watching a middle school play. The 3 young witches were acting like they were waiting for us audience members to clap for how "cute" they were acting and it wasn't cute. So goofy! In a bad way. Terrible over the top acting!!! Everyone was trying way too hard. The first one felt grounded in reality within the fantasy of it, we could relate to the characters and it is such a great comfort movie I have watched every Halloween. This movie belongs at the bottom of the trash bin in what I would label as generic. All the actors were acting with a capital A! It's trying way too hard. The one playing the boyfriend, Froy something was so animatedly over acting it was painful. You may like this film if you're of the brainless and passive influencer crowd, but I don't know how a fan of the original could love this. I feel violated. Casting and films today are all about cheap optics and not good story telling.

I was really excited to see this and shouldn't be shocked it's not good but alas, here we are. It's so hard to get through.

Two unlikeable teen narcs bring back the witches who immediately burst into... song and dance?! Whoever made this remake failed to realize they only sang in the first film because they are mistaken for a musical act and use the stage/ band accompaniment to cast a spell on the town. "Dance until you die!" It's dark!

In this, they are singing and dancing happy music in the middle of the woods. We hear a full band but they are alone. For no reason. This is not in their character. Make it make sense.

The product placement is palpable. Sponsored by Walgreens. We're supposed to believe they don't know what teenagers look like? They already came back in the 90s and knew Max was a teenager.

Also- Billy was my favorite character in the original and in this, they give him a weird Irish accent? When no one else has one? What's happening. Why ruin a classic?

I'll try my best to not spoil it...

It was a fun film, has nothing on the original sadly.

Referring to the 1993 movie with someone in the film watching the original! How's that possible!

I feel they tried too hard here at times Some of the jokes just over the top As much as the sets looked good, they also looked fake I feel kids will like it but the long time fans will enjoy it just not love it as much as the original

Lots of links to the first and hooks to match them up, but 3 key people missing with no real mention yet the evens were.

As I said it's fun, very "camp" can I say that?

I didn't have much hope for it and I was right for that, I also predicted the store for the main character

Also, the story of where Book came from was changed for this film

Will I watch it again, yeah of course and in time it more than likely might become a classic no brain power needed movie.

But the original will never be beaten that's for sure.

Disney just don't do a Ghostbuster on us now... I feel that could happen

As as for the 2 cut scenes.