Hocus Pocus 2

[PollyannaMom]

The trailer is out! -

 

[supernova]

Film was originally scheduled for 2021. Wonder if it was completed and they were just sitting on it all this time, or if they hadn't completed it until now.

 

[GAN]

Film was originally scheduled for 2021. Wonder if it was completed and they were just sitting on it all this time, or if they hadn't completed it until now.

No… it was filmed Fall of ‘21 under the working title “Black Flame”

 

[Skywalker3]

That looks fun. I didn't see the first one until 2017. Watched it on a rainy afternoon on a Disney trip. It was fine. Haven't watched again. I like all those actresses tho, so hoping this one will be good.

 

[supernova]

That looks fun. I didn't see the first one until 2017. Watched it on a rainy afternoon on a Disney trip. It was fine. Haven't watched again. I like all those actresses tho, so hoping this one will be good.

Same, only I finally watched the film this past year. The way I see it, none of these actresses will need much makeup to age them into witches, at this point.

 

[GAN]

Same, only I finally watched the film this past year. The way I see it, none of these actresses will need much makeup to age them into witches, at this point.

You must be a looker….

 

[supernova]

You must be a looker….

Eh, my wife and I clean up pretty well, I guess...

 

[PollyannaMom]

Watched this morning.

Not the same level as the original, but definitely enjoyed it. Lots of Easter eggs to spot!

Anyone else?

 

[GAN]

Watched this morning.

Not the same level as the original, but definitely enjoyed it. Lots of Easter eggs to spot!

Anyone else?

I haven't watched it yet but hope to this weekend!

 

[bobbiwoz]

This afternoon, I am set to watch it. It will be a rainy afternoon.

 

[maverik85]

Watched this morning.

Not the same level as the original, but definitely enjoyed it. Lots of Easter eggs to spot!

Anyone else?

Agreed. Was a lot of fun but not quite the same level as the original, but about on par with it.
One weird part to me was the quick shot of people watching the first movie. Not sure why it would exist in this universe, but suppose since it was a clip that didn't show characters in this one maybe it's supposed to be from a different film in this universe.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Agreed. Was a lot of fun but not quite the same level as the original, but about on par with it.
One weird part to me was the quick shot of people watching the first movie. Not sure why it would exist in this universe, but suppose since it was a clip that didn't show characters in this one maybe it's supposed to be from a different film in this universe.

I took that as a fun nod to fans who make a tradition of watching the original every year, not as a realistic story element.

 

[maverik85]

I took that as a fun nod to fans who make a tradition of watching the original every year, not as a realistic story element.

Yea that's probably what it was meant for, and a fun easter egg.

Honestly, my only real issue with the movie is the lack of a big confrontation at the end. Felt the first movie had a much stronger finale with the final battle in the graveyard versus the woods confrontation here. I didn't hate what they did though and thought it made some good scenes, but felt like it was building to a big moment and attack scene with Winnifred that never came. Very mixed on it as I felt the finale was a bit rushed but as mentioned didn't hate it either.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I liked it.

 

[superme80]

I am thinking of watching it this weekend.

 

[wkndr4Disney1]

I am thinking of watching it this weekend.

I'm thinking either this weekend or hold off until I'm on board Wish on 10/31. They are bound to play it in the "theaters"

 

[superme80]

I'm thinking either this weekend or hold off until I'm on board Wish on 10/31. They are bound to play it in the "theaters"

If you could wait for a theatrical version, I would totally do that! That would be so fun.

 

[GAN]

Thought I’d share a few behind the scenes shots for anyone interested…..

Director Anne Fletcher rehearsing with children



The Olde Magic Shoppe

Newport, RI for the Flying Witch test

Construction of the forest….


Inside the Magic Shoppe…

 

[NWOhiogal]

I watched it last night. Here's my review: (Spoilers!)

Spoiler

It was fun. Nothing beats the original, of course.

Midler, Parker, and Najimy were entertaining, even though no amount of makeup can hide the face they're all 29 years older.

The child actors were very good, and obviously had a lot of fun playing the parts. The sets for Old Salem were very cool.

It was a lot of fun to see Doug Jones reprise his role of Billy Butcherson, who gets a lot more to do in this movie. Fun fact: the wig Jones wears is the exact same wig he wore in the original.

The young girls who play the leads were fine, if the roles they played were kind of Disney Channel. The script isn't as nuanced or spooky as the original.

Like in the original, a lot of stuff goes on that requires a TON of suspension of disbelief. A bad guy literally kidnaps two of the girls and throws them bodily down a flight of stairs into a basement. Apparently kidnapping, assault and battery of a minor doesn't exist in this universe?

As soon as the Sanderson sisters show up, they start singing, as in an actual song. Shocked me as I didn't know this was a musical, but they only did it the one time.

The ending made a hard right turn and asked us to sympathize with Winnifred's sudden remorse at having obliterated her sisters to gain unlimited power. While it's very touching to see Winnifred declare that she doesn't care about power if she loses her sisters, it doesn't match ANY of her behavior through the previous two movies. I can't speak for anybody else, but I wasn't watching the movie hoping to see anybody rehabilitated, especially Winnifred. She made a fun, over-the-top baddie and I had zero interest in her suddenly priming up to sing "Wind Beneath My Wings."

There was a very sad lack of talking cat. There's a black cat in the movie; it never talks or acts like it's enchanted, but there's a post-credits scene that hints at a third movie and it's involved. So maybe in HP3 we'll see Thackery Binx again. I hope so, he's my avatar!

Anyway. The movie gets a 6.5/10 from me for nice nostalgia, solid performances by the young actors and Doug Jones. Points taken off for too much silliness (although I'll admit I'm not the intended audience), in-your-face product placement (there's a very long sequence that features a Walgreens) and less spooky atmosphere than the original. I also took a point off because there's a large full moon that hangs on the horizon through the entire movie and never moves, even though time obviously passes. Not sure what's going on there.

 

[CynBeth]

I liked it.

Same here.