Hocus Pocus 2: Did The Black Flame Candle Extinguish The Sequel’s Magic? [SPOILER ALERT]

Hocus Pocus 2 has been the long-awaited Halloween sequel. For the sake of nostalgia, it is approved, but when it comes to the narrative the film is obscured by fog. Consequently, the interest is maintained by the viewer’s desire and curiosity to follow the diabolical plans of the Sanderson sisters after 29 years of absence. Sadly, iconic dialogues and jaw-dropper scenes are far-fetched scenarios for the sequel even though the opening provided a ray of hope for a first-rate film.

The first ten minutes seemed auspicious; a backstory of the Sanderson sisters when they were younger, how they were introduced to magic, and their obtrusive presence in Salem. The opening was enthralling, and it should have been prolonged to hold the audience’s attention. However, even during the opening sequence, the sequel clashed with what we have known so far. For instance, it is acknowledged from the first film that the spell book was given to Winifred by the devil himself. That being so, why does the mother witch (Hannah Waddingham) give the spell book to Winifred? On top of that, I would have expected a less ostentatious outfit for a mother witch rather than resembling the fairy queen and Odile from Barbie of Swan Lake. Something less anticipated, perhaps more eerie. Not to mention Sarah’s (Bette Midler) costume that did not highlight her aristocracy and original sumptuous outfit. To make matters worse, cold colours were dominant in the sequel while the first film utilized warmer undertones that gave the film a more family-friendly aura.

Plot inconsistencies and costumes aside, the Sanderson sisters appeared somehow lackadaisical compared to the first film and the cacography of the script certainly did not give a push. What happened to the close-ups and comical expressions of Winifred? What happened to her caustic lines? I must confess, the young actresses -especially Whitney Peak (Becca) and Belissa Escobedo (Izzy) – eclipsed the performances of the three original witches and their enthusiasm was more distinct.

The overall aura of the film is page-one of Halloween’s watch list although it lacks some originality and employs a deficient tone in performances when it comes to the Sanderson sisters. Unfortunately, the spark is gone and the eagerness of the fans when it comes to the return of the witches overshadows their ability to spot plot issues. Although the film is not characterized by its action-packed narrative, it’s a fun Halloween family film that will keep the non-detail oriented entertained.