Hocus Pocus 2 Movie Review Bette Midler Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parkers Witches Return in a Goofy and Fun Legacy Sequel

Hocus Pocus 2 brings back Bette Midler Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson sisters. Its goofy and fun exactly what a legacy sequel to a cult Halloween movie should be.
Nobody was asking for high art here. They wanted the witches being ridiculous and thats what they got. The actresses clearly had a blast revisiting these characters.
Hollywood Reporter reviewed the Disney Plus sequel and its nostalgic appeal.
The plot involves new teenagers accidentally resurrecting the witches because thats how these things work. The structure mirrors the original without being a complete retread.
Legacy sequels walk a tricky line between honoring the original and finding new things to say. This one mostly succeeds.
Midler remains the standout as Winifred. Her commitment to the bit is total. When she does I Put a Spell on You again its pure joy.
Will this become an annual Halloween tradition like the original? Probably for a new generation of kids discovering it. Nostalgia is generational.
Its not better than the original but sequels rarely are. Its good enough to justify its existence which is more than many legacy projects achieve.
Review September 2022
