The 1993 Disney film “Hocus Pocus” is about three sisters who were hanged in Salem in 1693 and returned 300 years later to cause havoc on Halloween. It is more than a classic; it is a cornerstone of culture. It became a blockbuster on home video and cable and is now an annual tradition for many families, with parents who adored it in the 1990s showing it to their children. With Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as a sort of witchy Three Stooges, Disney struck the perfect balance between frightening and humorous. Winifred, portrayed by Midler, was the Moe-like, short-tempered ringleader, Sarah, portrayed by Parker, was a fluttery, Curly-like scatterbrain, and Mary, portrayed by Najimy, was the Larry of the group, never making anything work but confident that she’s nailing it.
Nearly three decades later, “Hocus Pocus 2” should please fans of all ages, as it pays homage to the original while subtly modernising it and incorporating some welcome diversity, while removing the violence. Additionally, it is somewhat sweeter. Doug Jones, the great actor behind the creature in “The Shape of Water” and Abe in “Hellboy,” is featured as the hapless zombie Billy Butcherson in the adult cast of the first film. Tony Hale, Sam Richardson, and Hannah Waddingham, the all-around powerhouse of “Ted Lasso,” are all welcome new additions.
The first film was about sibling relationships (with a dash of teen romance); this one is about friendship. And there is a little genesis narrative. After an opening aerial shot that references the original “Hocus Pocus”, we see the Sanderson sisters as children. First, we witness the Pilgrims scrambling out of Winnie’s path as she rampages through the village. Taylor Henderson portrays young Winnie, replete with wild red hair and buck teeth. Her portrayal of Midler’s alpha witch is sharp and humorous. Reverend Traske (Tony Hale), the local minister, has determined that because the Sanderson parents are deceased, Winnie must marry a young man from the community, and the younger Sanderson sisters would be sent to live with another family. Winnie refuses, and the girls run away to the forbidden forest, where they encounter a very glamorous witch (Waddingham) who offers them one of the most important props from the previous film, the book of spells with a human eyeball on the front that actually opens and, I presume, sees.
Becca (Whitney Peak) and Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) are preparing for their Halloween ritual, Becca’s birthday sleepover, in the present day. This year, their other buddy Cassie (Lilia Buckingham), who has been spending all of her time with her boyfriend and is no longer a part of the group, will be absent. Becca and Izzy like experimenting with magic and spend a great deal of time at Gilbert’s neighbourhood magic shop (Richardson). He offers them the second essential artefact from the previous film, a black candle, and, as in the first film, they light it despite knowing the tale of the Sanderson sisters. (The virginity necessary to trigger the candle’s power to resurrect the witches is referenced in jest but not explained.)
The Sandersons return on Halloween night, when partygoers and trick-or-treaters are out trick-or-treating, led by the town’s merry mayor, who is also Cassie’s extremely stern father. He is a descendent of Reverend Traske and is portrayed by Hale once again. As in the first film, the witches want vengeance on Traske and wish to inhale the essence of infants in order to attain endless youth.
The difficulty for a sequel to a beloved film is to retain enough of the original to satisfy aficionados without being overly repetitious or confusing to newbies, and “Hocus Pocus 2” does this well. The highlights of the first film are highlighted (there is a beautiful musical sequence) and there are many hilarious moments, such as a Sanderson sisters costume contest. It is not a spoiler to suggest that intelligent, courageous, and devoted adolescents receive more humorous rewards than tricks. Also, the crowd does.
NOTE: There is an additional scene after the credits have rolled.
