Hocus Pocus 2: A Love Letter But With Some Major Flaws

The first Hocus Pocus, made back in 1993, is a Halloween classic, and its new sequel released in 2022 is an entertaining watch for fans who want another fix of the Sanderson Sisters. If you ask a true fan though, they will have a few issues.

Hocus Pocus 2: A Love Letter But With a Few Flaws:

While it gives those who enjoy the first film a fun experience with an added dose of magic. For true fans of Hocus Pocus this may feel like they really missed the mark!

In "Hocus Pocus", you have three great stars bringing magic and witches to the big screen. Those iconic stars are Bette Midler as Winifred. Kathy Najimy plays Mary. Finally Sarah Jessica Parker, stars as the adorable Sarah. They’re the iconic Sanderson Sisters and that trio just might make fans think about everything in this magical adventure!

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The Original Hocus Pocus Movie Explained:

Sanderson sisters walking through the streets in Hocus Pocus 2 Image

What's so cool is that there’s so much to take away from the story.

We see the iconic trio getting revived and then they must do something wild: take the "life force" from at least one child to ensure they don't disappear!
It seems a "Black Flame Candle" is the key, as this special candle was what made their revival happen.
This magic came into play when a boy named "Max Dennison" lights the candle! That was his mistake, a big one!
In the end it's up to him, "Dani," and "Allison," the "crush" of the series to stop the Sanderson Sisters!

It's the classic Halloween vibe. The only trouble with Hocus Pocus 2 was that it had lots of problems making this the iconic Sequel!

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Reusing a Tired Storyline:

This new iteration, that debuted on Disney+ was directed by Anne Fletcher, the director behind movies like "27 Dresses." The show brings you to Salem, Massachusetts once more, where two young women Becca ( Whitney Peak) and Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) go out to have some birthday fun, getting together to light a "Black Flame Candle." But they are given a really cool item! It comes from a store, a great place to visit and find unique and special things! They are unaware they are going to resurrect these awesome witches once more.

Fans may wonder who has all these Black Flame Candles because in "Hocus Pocus 2" the shop owner Gilbert (Sam Richardson) brings these witches back.

In this part of the story, the Sanderson sisters find that being revived for another go is not what they hoped for! Their focus is revenge on Salem and trying to become all powerful witches, so they plan on making the "Magicae Maxima" spell, an idea of making an amazing change in the modern world!

The writers, they didn't create new or inspiring events but went down a path that was not worth it.

They used the same storyline in the sequel that was seen in the original "Hocus Pocus!" They leaned so much into nostalgia.
Even worse, they used those jokes and laughs. What was funny 30 years ago? Well, it just didn't quite hit the same.
For fans it seems like the biggest oversight! That the film did a lackluster job when it came to really showcasing the Sanderson sisters! These women should have been the stars.

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Unanswered Questions

Is The Witch Mother Hiding A Secret In Hocus Pocus 2? Sure Looks Like It Image

There was some added lore about these three women's lives but they left fans wanting more.

This Sequel introduced a part of the Sanderson's past!

They went back to 1653 to look into Winifred's relationship with the church and its patriarch Reverend Traske. She did not want to marry. The relationship soured, which pushed the sisters to flee into a forest!
A truly memorable moment! It turns out, a Witch Mother shows up and gave Winifred an amazing birthday gift!
She got a magic book! One that will remind you of the real heart and magic of these sisters, but the Witch Mother gave them a warning about a spell known as Magicae Maxima. The goal of this spell is to become super, powerful and would bring some awesome consequences.

If you are thinking about what was done to give the characters an incredible journey, what they might forget was that they did not tell us everything. In "Hocus Pocus" fans had no knowledge of how the sisters survived, if their parents existed, or how the trio were able to take a spot in the world.

In "Hocus Pocus 2" we had to find new information about The Witch Mother and a quest for more information about her and just what went into her. It is not a clear storyline!

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A Missed Opportunity

The Sanderson Sisters Hanged in Hocus Pocus Image

It seems like all of the changes were made in Hocus Pocus 2, but even those could have been a really powerful experience for viewers if they got one of the main things from "Hocus Pocus".

What fans have enjoyed for decades was how "Hocus Pocus" could make you feel! It was so spooky!
In this iteration of the series it appears there's more comedy than spookiness, giving you humor, but not enough to really be memorable.

Where the Series Fell Short

What made the first movie, and even this movie for many, a success. Well it took this big moment away from the Sanderson Sisters, which were the heart of the series!

It seems like there is so much that these sisters did to give us those really terrifying and funny elements. We even get a new way they wanted to get the power! But in Hocus Pocus 2, they took a big, dangerous leap, and it went over their heads!

The first series had some powerful moments.
It didn't really include power for those who are up against them!

But what's interesting! You get to watch a group of children fight back, including those "witches!".

In a special and iconic moment that you will surely appreciate! The stars "Max, Dani, Allison" came together! All were a real diverse, unique mix!

A Disappointing End:

Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus I Put A Spell On You Image

It really appears that "Hocus Pocus 2" might just be a new spin, something that really tries to honor what has worked in the past. It wasn't so much that they couldn't bring back these three magical witches. It's truly a case of a great opportunity! And, an exciting twist in the form of new witches! What the show did was give an interesting moment to those that had those powers. The new characters didn't come together to give an incredible experience!

The "Hocus Pocus 2" team was great but this set of stars weren't the memorable group that fans have come to know!

A new era, for the film may be in the works!

Even though the new sequel is getting attention, it doesn't mean this show won't get a new twist. For those of us who adore the first, and have that special "nostalgia" for "Hocus Pocus," there is hope!

Get a chance to see these witches, they just might take the big screen by storm again in "Hocus Pocus 3". What makes this film truly stand out, is just how passionate and loud those fans are, who grew up with the movie in 1993. This will definitely push these Disney productions!

The only thing better is that "Hocus Pocus" was really brought to the big screen. As it shows how this classic film can really inspire so much new creative energy.

Keep watching! Because for a series that continues to deliver Magic. Fans will always have a soft spot for this story.

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