The much-loved movie Hocus Pocus has come back for round two.
Twenty-nine years after the original movie debuted, Hocus Pocus 2 arrived on the scene on September 30, 2022. The Sanderson sisters are here and are better than ever. The whimsical characters, brilliant writing and updated comedic moments make this much-anticipated movie worth the wait.
Looking back at the original movie, it is easy to see why many felt the buzz for Hocus Pocus 2.
The original movie featured a talented cast that made the script dance on screen, so no surprise that Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy were back to play Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson. Once again, they brought these characters to life when they made their return to Salem and reminded us why we love them, even when they try to eat children.
The cast in Hocus Pocus 2 was updated to be much more diverse and inclusive. They delivered scenes throughout the movie that kept viewers enjoying every moment while they wondered what was going to happen next. The new characters, played by Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo and Sam Richardson complimented the humorous Sanderson sisters and intertwined with them as though it was always meant to be.
The writing done by Jen D’Angelo, David Kirschner and Blake Harris took the original movie and made a sequel that throws twists and turns but adds onto the first movie in a way that feels natural. Fresh ideas including the new way the Sanderson sisters come back not only make the movie come alive on screen but take the original and update it, making it the right fit for this generation.
Differences include characters who are more than just curious about the fabled sisters, some actively try to bring them back. The introduction of a new witch, Becca, played by Peak, shows her interest in magic early on but it is later in the movie, when Salem needs a hero, that she realizes her powers and comes into her own as a witch.
Perfectly timed comedic moments keep the laughter coming, making it easy to forget it is a problem the Sanderson sisters have returned. Updates like riding a broom, Swiffer and Roomba’s were fun twists to the original broom, mop, and vacuum, showing that a classic can be made into something modern while it kept the original magic.
The ending is much like the first movie but with added emotion and “feel good” moments. Winifred Sanderson shows the love we always knew she felt for her sisters when she decides she would rather live with them than live forever. But of course, it couldn’t be as simple as that. Hocus Pocus 2 closes with a twist that leaves the movie, and our imaginations, open for a part three.