By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
The witches are back. The Sanderson sisters,
Winifred/Bette Midler ("The Addams Family 2"),
Sarah/Sarah Jessica Parker (TV's "And Just Like That...") and
Mary/Kathy Najimy (TV's "Duncanville"), return to Salem for wicked fun in
"Hocus Pocus 2," the “spooktacular” sequel to the 1993 "Hocus Pocus" cult classic movie.
Perfectly timed for Halloween, "Hocus Pocus 2," from director
Anne Fletcher ("The Proposal" and TV's "This is Us") and screenwriter
Jen D' Angelo (TV's "Young Rock") takes audiences back to Salem Massachusetts where the Sanderson sisters grew up, but not under the best circumstances. The youngsters are played by: Nina Kitchen/Mary, Juju Journey Brener/Sarah ("Vanquish") and Winifred/Taylor Henderson (TV's "Virtual Vocals Cabaret").
Fast forward several years and they are now unruly teens: Becca/Whitney Peak (TV's "Gossip Girl"), Cassie/Lilia Buckingham (TV's "Crown Lake") and Izzy/Belissa Escobedo (TV's "American Horror Stories"). The giggly best friends spend their time at the local magic shop which is run by Gilbert (a funny Sam Richardson, "The Tomorrow War" and TV's "HouseBroken"). Gilbert has a magical Black Flame Candle that has the power to resurrect the witches of old and Becca and Izzy accidently do just that.
How things have changed since the witches were in Salem 29 years ago. They have returned on Halloween where everyone is dressed as witches, ghosts, and goblins. The Sanderson sisters aren't after candy corn or bite sized Snickers. They are out for revenge and plan to wreak havoc all over town for the pain and humiliation they endured all those years. The vindictive witches also plan to get their hands on Gilbert’s "eye-opening" Book of Spells.
If they do, Becca and her crew must find some creative and clever ways to stop the witches from their shenanigans.
There are many laughs in "Hocus Pocus 2." Tony Hale brings his dry humor to the mix as the confused town mayor. Doug Jones (TV's "What We Do in the Shadows") as zombie Billy Butcherson has some scene stealing moments too.
However, it's Midler, Parker and Najimy who really make this comedy soar especially when they belt out musical numbers like "The Witch is Back" and Blonde's "One Way or Another."
"Hocus Pocus 2" which debuts on
Disney+ Sept. 30, is a magical and spellbinding dose of family-friendly fun.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"HOCUS POCUS 2"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
