What Is the Story About?
Set in Salem town, Becca and Izzy are planning to celebrate Halloween. It is a double festive atmosphere as it’s Becca’s birthday. The teens get a candle from the nearby magic shop and light it up in an open field. Little did they realise it would revive the Sanderson Sisters after twenty-nine years.
What do the Sanderson Sisters have in mind? How did Becca, Izzy and their friend Cassie stop them from achieving it?
Performances?
Whitney Peak plays Becca, a high school student who is confident and ready to face any dire circumstances. She fits the part and does it with ease. There is no high drama, and it’s all about fun and a little bit of fear. Whitney Peak manages it coolly and adds a dash of believability to the whole thing.
Belissa Escobedo as Becca’s friend, is a good choice. Together they have a nice chemistry going, and it helps the narrative. The quirkiness is brought out well without overdoing it by her.
Analysis
Anne Fletcher directs Hocus Pocus 2. It is a sequel to Hocus Pocus that came out way back in 1993. Hocus Pocus 2 is a fantasy comedy with a Halloween backdrop.
After a brief period setting beginning, Hocus Pocus 2 immediately shifts to the current times. The modern setting is where the little fun in the movie lies.
The real movie kick starts once the teens resurrect the witches, aka Sanderson Sisters. They provide all the fun with their dialogues, action and antics.
The issue with Hocus Pocus 2 is the rushed making. Everything happens too fast, too quickly, to have an impact. There is no room to breathe. We run from one plot point to another, all in quick succession. And to think that the whole narrative takes place within a night.
What holds the interest intermittently is the small twists and turns, however predictable they are, and some fun moments. The modern-day setting gives the space to play with, but not all is appropriately utilised. In the supermarket sequence or the one involving Alexa, things are over before they could have had an impact.
Not only the fun parts but even the tiny dramatic moments are also dealt with quickly. The boyfriend’s realisation of calling others by names is a prime example. It not only appears rushed, but the execution feels contrived.
Still, there is an undercurrent message, and the overall fun tone keeps the narrative engaging at a bare minimum level. One only wishes some effort were to be put into having depth and making them (fun and drama) register.
Overall, Hocus Pocus 2 is a formulaic Halloween-based teen fantasy comedy. It has its moments, but they are few and far between. If you have zero expectations and have some time to spend, give it a try.
Other Artists?
Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker play the Sanderson Sisters. They have a ball playing the roles. The result is visible in the narrative and as one gives all the silliness a pass for the goofy and over-the-top fun. All three are fine, but Better Midler easily stands out among them. Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker have their moments, but they are less.
Among the rest of the cast, Sam Richardson has a decent role. He does well in what’s given. Doug Jones and Tony Hale are alright in brief parts. Lilia Buckingham gets something to do during the final moments.
Music and Other Departments?
John Debney’s music is as generic as it gets considering the genre. Nothing is memorable but works well within the narrative. Elliot Davis’s cinematography follows the established visual cues for such movies. It is okay but adds to the generic feel along with the writing. Julia Wong’s editing is too sharp and done to keep the narrative racy.
Highlights?
Casting
Some Fun Moments
Short Length
Drawbacks?
Rushed Narrative
Not Engaging
Superficial Drama
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, A Few Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Huge Reservations
Hocus Pocus 2 Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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