‘Lock up your children!’ Yes, Salem, they’re back – and if it can’t quite muster a bang at least Hocus Pocus 2 gives us more magic than a whimper.
A whopping 29 years on from the original cult favourite, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy return as the child-hungry Sanderson sisters, the one non-negotiable ingredients of the sequel.
After so long away, fan expectations have been raised over the material that could finally have tempted the iconic trio back, and there are certainly elements that bewitch.
However, Hocus Pocus 2 struggles to truly rival the glories of the original, as is almost always the case in our culture of sequels desperately trying to recapture the magic of their predecessors.
Re-spinning it while staying true to the spirt of Neil Cuthbert and Mick Garris’ story prototype is the aim, and on the most part it achieves that. The update to 2022 for the film is a little jarring though, considering how powerfully nostalgia powers the popularity of the 1993 original’s unexpected and uncomplicated joy.
It’s undeniable that Midler, Parker and Najimy are the prime focus this time, shown in part by a visit to their 17th century childhood selves (slightly over-egged impressions from the young actresses) to build out their backstory and introduce an enjoyably over-the-top Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso).
The same could be said of the central trio’s performances too, as they seem to hover on the edge of being distractingly too much – but perhaps my childhood memories have dimmed this from the first time around. At least they are having rampant amounts of fun.
Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones) is back in a beefed-up role, bringing the actor’s excellent physicality to the fore – although his Cockney-Boston twang is a bit of a miss. While his subplot works, there’s disappointment in the mayor’s (Tony Hale) promising dual role, which seems underserved.
The three younger leads, Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham), turn in strong performances, having fun with more biting jokes than last time as they negotiate the fall-out of lighting the Black Flame Candle. They also sensibly have their own dynamic, different to that of the original kids. And if you can’t have Thackery Binx back, there is at least a nice feline-shaped nod to him.
The humour is more self-aware overall, which may diminish some of that quirkiness from before but at least leads to the entertaining sight of Parker drinking face cream and the adult panic that follows a young child asking, ‘What’s a virgin?’.
As was teased, following the popularity of the I Put A Spell On You scene in the 90s film, we are treated to not one but two suitably adapted musical numbers this time, including one that extends into a major townsfolk dance. These are the sorts of homages the fans hope for. With Disney too, the devil is reliably always in the detail, and the films boasts gorgeous production design, enchanting costumes and utter dedication to the franchise’s Halloween aesthetic.
Hocus Pocus 2’s main selling point is the amount of love for the first film that has been poured into the second, excusing most quibbles. This may allow it more grace than it is perhaps entirely worthy of, but there’s no doubt it’s perfectly decent seasonal viewing. The you’ll go and watch the original all over again!
Hocus Pocus 2 premieres on Disney Plus on Friday September 30.