Lex Ennis ‘23
Just in time for the halloween season and after almost 30 years since the original Hocus Pocus, on September 30th, Disney Plus released the much anticipated Hocus Pocus 2.
The film follows best friends Becca, Izzy, and Cassie in modern day Salem, Massachusetts. The night of Becca’s birthday, Becca and Izzy perform their annual ritual. Unknowingly, Becca lights the candle that brings back the infamous Winifred, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson, also known as The Sanderson Sisters. The sisters return once more to get their revenge on the town that brought them to their demise almost 330 years ago
The lovely Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker all reprise their beloved roles as The Sanderson Sisters, but fans of the original Hocus Pocus will most likely be disappointed by the fact that Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, and Thora Birch will not be reprising their roles as Max Dennison, Alison, and Dani Dennison. Without half of the original cast, Hocus Pocus 2 still delivers the comedic and delightful aspects the 1993 film had. Whitney Peak (Becca) and Belissa Escobedo (Izzy) give an excellent performance. The pair gives the sequel an aspect of diversity and friendship. You will get a couple of laughs out of watching them work their way around Midler, Najimy, and Parker.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Hocus Pocus 2 got a 62% approval rating, while the original movie got a 39% rating, but the audience of the cult classic and its sequel didn’t seem to agree with the critics, giving the original movie a 71% rating, and Hocus Pocus 2 a 54% rating as of October 5th.
Hocus Pocus is a great movie for the whole family. You’ll find yourself laughing about it and quoting it for days to come. Grab your popcorn and your broomsticks, witches! Because the witches are back! Hocus Pocus 2 is now streaming on Disney Plus!