'Hocus Pocus 2' Review: A Campy, Nostalgic Treat That's Worth The Wait
After years of clamoring and patiently waiting, fans of the 1993 cult classic have finally received a sequel to Hocus Pocus, a follow-up that not only retains the magic of its predecessor, but ushers in an exciting new era of magic.
Sequels that are released far after the original don’t tend to fare well in terms of quality, Anchorman 2, Zoolander 2, and Dumb and Dumber To being a few that unfortunately fall into this category. However, fans of the original can rest assured knowing that this is a sequel that is absolutely worth the wait, delivering the magic and camp the original film oozed so effortlessly. This is due in large part to the returning cast, who not only do not miss a single step as their respective characters, but are clearly having the time of their lives stepping into their shoes and elaborate costumes once more. Midler, Parker, and Najimi continue to be a delight as the Sanderson Sisters, delivering the laughs and glorious campiness that make their characters so indelible and magnetic on screen. Jones, who returns as the undead Billy Butcherson, gets to have far more fun this time around and delivers some of the film’s biggest laughs.
Hocus Pocus 2 takes place decades after the events of the original film, where three young girls manage to bring the Sanderson Sisters back by mistake into modern day Salem and must work together in order to stop them from wreaking havoc all over town. Returning to their now iconic roles are Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and Doug Jones, who are joined by new cast members that include Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, Lilia Buckingham, Tony Hale and Sam Richardson.
At the helm of this sequel is director Anne Fletcher, who has directed massive hits, such as Step Up and The Proposal, an inspired choice to replace the original film’s Kenny Ortega. Fletcher has a firm grasp on the tone of the film, managing a delicate balancing act between spooky, nostalgic, and campy, never leaning too hard into any of the three. The film looks and feels like a Hocus Pocus sequel, colorful and drenched in Halloween atmosphere. As a result, fans shouldn’t have any issues immersing themselves in Salem yet again.
As for the new characters that are brought into the fold, they’re certainly endearing in their own right. Peak, Escobedo, and Buckingham are a fun trio to follow in the film, their chemistry on full display throughout. However, the audience learns virtually nothing about any of their characters, making it difficult to care for them as they enter one precarious situation after the next. The three are certainly likable, but these characters deserved far more depth.
Faring better are Hale and Richardson, who are welcome new additions to the cast. Hale, who plays Salem’s Mayor here, is as goofy, charismatic, and down to earth as ever, making the character a joy to watch any time he’s on screen. However, Richardson is the scene-stealer in the new cast, playing a magic shop owner named Gilbert that has a warm, nurturing relationship with the three young girls. He imbues the character with a warmth and sunshine disposition that makes him nearly impossible to dislike. The character also gets the most depth out of all the new characters introduced, his backstory a welcome surprise for fans of the original.
After all this time, it would be easy for this cast and crew to phone in this sequel for the sake of a paycheck, but thankfully this isn’t the case for Hocus Pocus 2. In a time where beloved properties of the past are being dug up and resuscitated to capitalize on a trend of nostalgia, this sequel manages to justify its existence and deliver a follow-up that not only delivers the campy, ghoulish delights of the original, but makes the prospect of possible sequels appealing. Simply put, the Sanderson Sisters are back and fans should be getting very excited.