“Hocus Pocus” is one of the rare films that wasn’t a box office success when it was initially released in 1993, but over the years, it has become a cult classic as generations have grown up watching the film on the Disney Channel and, most recently, on Disney+.  With the success omoviee original fiit’son Disney+, its not a huge surprise to see a sequel has arrived this Halloween season.

“Hocus Pocus 2” brings back the delightfully wicked Sanderson sisters, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, which instantly pulls on those no. Withoutngs, as without them, it just wouldn’t be the starts film kicks off with a flashback scene to when the witches got their witch powers, but then jumps to the present day, where we see the Black Flame Candle relit, which resurrects the 17th-century sisters, and they are back, looking for revenge.  Now it is up to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve.

As you might expect, a major part of the film is seeing how the Sanderson sisters deal with being brought back to life in 2022, where things are very different to 1693.  Seeing them interacting with modernundoubtedlyes is certainly a highlight.

One of the things I liked about this sequel, is that it doesn’t just go over and rehash the original film. It does take some of the things people enjoyed about the first time, such as including some musical numbers and does reference the events of the original film, but it does feel like we are getting something different.

With the film coming in at just ova half, the film’s pace of the film is better suited to younger audiences.  There are plenty of action/magic scenes spread throughout the film, plus little moments that’ll make you laugh.  Once again, much like with the original, Sarah Jessica Parker steals the show as the younger Sanderson sister, by acting daft and delivering some of the funnier moments in the film.  Bette Midler also shines, and you can’t help but pay attention to her whenever she’s on the screen.

It takes many of the good elements from the first film and just gives you more of that, but you never really feel like the teenagers in this film feel under any real threat, as they continuously outsmart the Sanderson sisters.  And that’s maybe one of the biggest problems; Iof this film; I basically was much more interested in the Sanderson sisters than the teenager heroes, which is a problem with the villains are just much more entertaining.   The teenagers are just one-dimensional characters that I’m not sure viewers will connect with in the same way that viewers did with the original teenagers in the first film.  I’m glad the writers didn’t just do a straight-up rehash of the original storyline, but the modern teenagers are just so bland, that, in some way, they almost become the villains of the film, because you’re rooting for the Sanderson sisters to win.

“Hocus Pocus 2” is a lighthearted easy-going, family-friendly, Halloween-themed movie.  It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and if you enjoyed the original, I can’t see why you wouldn’t also enjoy this version, but as expected, it isn’t able to top the original.

Rating – 4 Out Of 5

“Hocus Pocus 2” will premiere on September 30th 2022, exclusively on Disney+.   The first film is also available to stream now on Disney+.

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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