Back and more glorious than ever.|Sep. 27, 2022|USA|105 Min.|PG
Genre: 4K-2160p;Comedy;Family;Fantasy;Horror
Description: For many millennials, the 1993 witchcraft comedy *Hocus Pocus* holds a special place in their hearts, especially as a Halloween tradition. It’s a film that feels as essential to the holiday as apple bobbing or fearing teenagers. Its nostalgic charm often overshadows the content itself, making any attempt to expand the story inherently risky. The excitement for something new is always tempered by a deep reverence for the original.
*Hocus Pocus 2* (2022) finds itself caught between different eras, audiences, and tones. It’s structured more like a remake, aiming to please long-time fans while also appealing to newcomers—a challenging balance that it struggles to achieve. At times, it feels less like a full-fledged movie and more like an extended, humorless sketch, offering the familiar imagery of the original but lacking its heart, momentum, or necessity. Its existence seems driven more by opportunity than by genuine storytelling purpose.
The film awkwardly reintroduces the Sanderson sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) after a 29-year hiatus, their legend now commercialized and reshaped over time. The opening scenes are clunky and poorly acted, setting a shaky foundation for what follows. While some recent reboots like *Chip ‘n Dale* and *Scream* have managed to bridge the gap between old and new, *Hocus Pocus 2* barely gets off the ground, leaving viewers longing for the magic of the original.
Cast director: Anne Fletcher
Cast actor: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Belissa Escobedo, Froy Gutierrez, Doug Jones, Tony Hale, Sam Richardson
Original name: Hocus Pocus 2