Hocus Pocus

[Still Wynning]

I saw a video of behind-the-scenes footage spliced together of the big musical number for this film, and let me tell you, you guys ain’t ready for it.

 

[Sithborg]

This would’ve been a big fall theatrical film. Especially with no big IP titles until next month.

It wouldn't have. There are limits to nostalgia.

 

[Albright]

Yeah and it looks pretty much like a Disney Channel movie considering the production value. Only it has the main cast returning and not just Kathy Naijimy (if it really would‘ve been a Disney Channel movie).
I don’t think the cult for it is that big outside the USA. In my country only hardcore Disney fans know about it and watch it regularly.

Hope it‘ll have that scary but childfriendly atmosphere of the orginal movie

 

[zeptron]

I would have liked it if Jay and Ernie/Ice returned. After the three witches, they were the most interesting characters in the original film.

 

[Albright]

I would have liked it if Jay and Ernie/Ice returned. After the three witches, they were the most interesting characters in the original film.

lol you’re right. That’d be cool

 

[DarkKnight88]

Cameos always possible!

 

[The Joker]

'Hocus Pocus 2' Early Reactions Call It Magical, Hilarious, and On Par With Original

I always take early reactions with a grain of salt but its getting good ones....

 

[samsnee]

66% so far on RT but I don’t think anyone expected it to be a critical success. It’s banking on nostalgia.

 

[Lily Adler]

66% so far on RT but I don’t think anyone expected it to be a critical success. It’s banking on nostalgia.

Better than the original.

 

[DarkKnight88]

Well, to be fair, most online critics today grew up with the original.

The original was angrily hated by critics of 1993. Ebert gave it 1 star. The Siskel and Ebert review is hilarious how much they hate it lol

 

[The Joker]

I've been reading the reviews and the consensus seems to be its a solid sequel that honors the original. The Sanderson trio are still as good as ever, and praise is being given to the newcomer teenage girls too. Sounds good to me.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Well, to be fair, most online critics today grew up with the original.

The original was angrily hated by critics of 1993. Ebert gave it 1 star. The Siskel and Ebert review is hilarious how much they hate it lol

I watched this for the first time with my ex a long time ago. It was one of her favorites. I kind of echo their sentiments. I didn't really get it. The closest I can think of from my perspective is Jingle All the Way. Since I grew up with it, I love it, but get why people think it's a bad movie.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

It wouldn't have. There are limits to nostalgia.

As one who grew up loving the original, I agree. It's a blah flick, that had it's charm because I was a kid and it was an oddity at the time. But even then it was a Disney Channel flick, so this is fitting.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

The first 5 mins of the movie:

Spoiler

- Please don't make them sympathetic.

- Oh God, the transphobe has a feminist storyline.

- Is that the woman from Ted Lasso?

- IT IS!

 

[Nardz937]

It's a serviceable legacy sequel. It was never going to have the charm of the original but Midler, Parker and Najimy carried it for me because they slipped back into those roles seamlessly and wonderfully.

My biggest complaint was Disney being Disney and having terribly distracting green screen. They're the biggest studio in the world and many of their projects have a consistency for looking cheap and bland.

Spoiler

I stuck around to the very end credits in hopes of a cameo from the original protagonists and nope

 

[Gothamsknight]

Overall a solid sequel and I had a good time. I don't think there should be a 3rd one, but this was well done in my mind. My only nitpick is that the green screen was distracting at times. Is there a particular reason why Disney keeps doing this?

 

[Drizzle]

As one who grew up loving the original, I agree. It's a blah flick, that had it's charm because I was a kid and it was an oddity at the time. But even then it was a Disney Channel flick, so this is fitting.

The first movie definitely has a "Disney Channel movie that somehow made it to theaters" quality to it but more than a handful of live action Disney movies from the '90s-'00s have that same type of feel to them. When it comes down to it, you take away Midler, Najimy and SJP with an honorable mention to Doug Jones and the movie is pretty forgettable. They pretty much sell the whole thing.

That said, I'll be checking out the second one this weekend.

 

[Gothamsknight]

I do enjoy Hocus Pocus, but as a kid, it was stuff like HalloweenTown and Casper that I latched onto way more if I'm honest.

 

[DarkKnight88]

I’m actually surprised they haven’t made a Casper legacy sequel with Christina Ricci yet.

 

[Gothamsknight]

I’m actually surprised they haven’t made a Casper legacy sequel with Christina Ricci yet.

I was just about to say this too. It'd be a great idea! Might as well take advantage of the legacy sequel craze while it's hot.

 

[Wheels]

As one who grew up loving the original, I agree. It's a blah flick, that had it's charm because I was a kid and it was an oddity at the time. But even then it was a Disney Channel flick, so this is fitting.

It was released theatrically. Why do people call this a Disney Channel movie. I'm I missing something?

 

[Lily Adler]

It was released theatrically. Why do people call this a Disney Channel movie. I'm I missing something?

Probably because it aired on Disney Channel every year. I thought it was done by Touchstone Pictures who usually did the films that were too "mature" for the Disney logo.

 

[samsnee]

I’m actually surprised they haven’t made a Casper legacy sequel with Christina Ricci yet.

She’s wrapped in the Addams Family legacy sequel

 

[DarthSkywalker]

It was released theatrically. Why do people call this a Disney Channel movie. I'm I missing something?

Not saying it literally was one, but that is how it felt.

 

[BoredGuy]

Yeah, I was a bit old for the original when it came out and never saw it in theaters, so I actually thought for years it was a Disney Channel movie