hocus pocus 2 is blatant nostalgia bait but i don't hate it 🐈‍⬛🕯🧹 (hocus pocus 2 review)

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a beloved halloween classic, the 1993 movie hocus pocus finally got a sequel nearly three decades after it was originally released. but is it any good? in today's video we review the recently released hocus pocus 2 movie.
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[@ModernGurlz]

click here bit.ly/3UGJnd7 and use my code MODERNGURLZ50 for 50% off your first month with Care/of! i'm sure you'll love it as much as i do 💞

[@zuzupurple4494]

Can you do a evolution of the himbo video

[@PJ-ve2hx]

To be honest, the fact that they all came back 29 years later to do this is amazing. C’mon! Bette Midler is in her 70s and did a great job x

[@Jacobflamecaster]

I personally don’t care how many hopes had to be jumped to make this film happen it is trash and stain on the original film’s legacy

[@trinaq]

They definitely did their homework in casting young actresses who really resembled the Sanderson Sisters to play their younger selves. In particular, Young Winnie looked really similar to Bette.

[@livenitup862]

And she was amazing

[@strawberrycake777]

I hope they get their own show, where they just show all the shenanigans they get into as young witches

[@noelkempster]

HER MANNERISMS WERE AMAZING

[@solcarlosofficial]

My only complaint is that I loved the warm tones of the original film. It made it so cozy. The new one is more cool on its visual.

[@meganelizabeth5553]

YES!

[@TheStepmonkey]

Exactly, it's the 90's filter and the autumn leaves.

[@thealluringmysticc]

Omg this is literally what I was thinking of when I first watched the sequel

[@thehauntedtree]

Yeah. You couldn’t even tell it was fall in this one. The original had leaves all over the ground and a warm color. This looked like Twilight

[@saphirawinters7028]

If anything, it should have been a prequel. Learning about their past and how they became witches.

[@trinaq]

Precisely, while I liked the main girls, the movie might have been more compelling had the focus been on the Sanderson Sisters in their youth.

[@st3458]

Honestly that same idea came to my head when it first started I was like them being children would have been entertaining to watch

[@itsallaboutaz]

I think the real issue with that is the main reason people wanted a sequel is to see the trio of actresses back together again, if you were doing an entire prequel movie about their youth, you'd have to recast all three women or have a massive CGI budget to de-age them. While that idea would've probably worked as a great prequel 30 years ago, it'd have to sacrifice the best part of both movies, which is the three actresses, unless the plot revolved around them having aged like they were at the very begining of the first film. Thats no comment about their age or appearance, just from a believability point if these actresses would be playing ages 30 years younger than they are.

[@refriedbean4805]

I would’ve loved to see a prequel

[@theonlygosha]

We kind of got that in the beginning of the film

[@MM-jx2gb]

I didnt find much wrong with it. Halloween movies like this tend to be campy so I had low expectations. It was a sweet and funny film.

[@DylanRomanov]

I liked the acting but the scenery looked cheap

[@laurentiinme]

@@ithinkiwoulddie9196 right made no sence 💀

[@TheStepmonkey]

@@ithinkiwoulddie9196 It's true. Most women like the original move while guys don't care about it

[@SocksWithSandalsEnjoyer]

@some people deserve to be humbled Ok if that was true... What's wrong with that?

[@coconut8800]

@@TheStepmonkey not really it’s popular with girls but not true

[@angelinawilson75]

I can agree that the ending with Winifred can seem out of character when she uses kindness to try and get her sisters back rather than lashing out like she always does, but I think it adds to the character development in all three sisters throughout the film. Sarah finally stood up for herself because she is always the one being shoved first (i.e., first movie when they see the tar and the second one when they are trapped in the salt circle) and Mary even acknowledging that she was Winnie's favorite as the movie showing how self-aware it is again. Winifred's change of heart I think is believable because of how desperate she was in the beginning to save her sisters, and even though she usually acts vile, they are the one thing she would do anything for. I also think it gives it an homage to 90's happy endings, which adds to the nostalgia bait

[@valeciraptor626]

Another thing I feel makes the ending a little more convincing is that is keeps up the theme of protecting your family (specifically your little sisters) from the first movie. Max and Thackery have a paralleling character arc about learning to do whatever it takes to protect their respective younger sisters, and at the end of this movie Winnifred learns the same lesson

[@xiopaovid1215]

I liked it! I will say I wish they would've kept the sisters dialogue most consistent. They'd have them speak from the 1800s, then they'd say modern things and that bothered me a little bit. Overall, great film! Edit: I forgot to mention I was pretty sad they didn't include some of the original cast besides the sisters. But considering how much I love the sisters I can over look this!

[@dianig.burgos665]

I had this same dilemma... Because in the first film they showed us how the younger characters talk in that era... it didn't feel consistent

[@xiopaovid1215]

@@dianig.burgos665 yes exactly! Or how they knew modern things but not others. Like you mean to tell me they didn't know at Walgreens it was skin care products but they knew how to take a selfie? It almost like the writers couldn't decide if they wanted them to know about present day things or not.

[@dawnmayflower4422]

…Well the sisters actually did this in the first movie as well. Like when Winnie flies up to the kids in the car and says “let me see your driver’s permit, haha!” before Max shoves her into the bushes. Or when Mary mentions margarine (as margarine didn’t exist when they were alive), or when Winnie says “and what is that _dude_ ?” really sarcastically before being hit by the car’s headlights. In the original movie the sisters speak using 17th century words but it’s interspersed with ‘90s slang. Mary especially takes to it. That’s the comedy of the movie. In the sequel they do the same thing - they allow the witches to speak as they would in the 1600s but use modern slang, which this time is the 2020s. They also have them occasionally use ‘90s slang because they were here for a brief time then before they died. So technically it is actually consistent in universe lol. Because it’s literally the humour of these films that for some reason these witches that died in 1693 can instantly understand modern slang whenever they get brought back 😂😂

[@wldhd29]

@@dawnmayflower4422 you’re so right!

[@solcarlosofficial]

Yeah how did Mary know what surfing was? That threw me off

[@sophiaisabelle01]

ModernGurlz’s content has been a lifesaver. They are often times logical and in-depth. They’ve never missed a beat when it comes to posting content.

[@markly5460]

is this a copypasta? I swear I've seen the same comment on another channel 😭

[@trinaq]

Agreed, they're my go to channel for fashion and movies!

[@malena5026]

Why did they take of the „twilight core“ video down? I can’t find it in their list anymore

[@somebody7070]

Why is everyone saying " they" ? Is Moderngurlz non binary?

[@malena5026]

@@somebody7070 she has a team of people researching the videos so using they fitted. I don’t know if she’s non binary

[@Canemikat]

I didn't like that they changed the story from Billy Butcherson being Winifreds lover to it being Winifred telling a story. I think it takes away from the tragedy and darkness of his character.

[@sourdrop]

Same here. I always thought of her relationship with Billy being one of the last things keeping Winifred locked in reality and still somewhat human. He was her anchor to Salem, the one person that kept her from going completely power crazy and homicidal, and that he really did care for her. Somewhere along the relationship, maybe Sarah got jealous of their relationship, or of how much time Winnie spent with Billy instead of her sisters, or maybe she was just bored, and decided to bewitch him or change to look like Winnie to trick him into cheating and Winnifred into killing him and going full-on witch. That story gives his death way more meaning than just a one time fling.

[@whispersweetnothingsuwu]

@@sourdrop I meaan he didn't even like her in the first movie. Sounded like he always liked Sarah and seeing how Windred likes to kinda take lead above her sisters it wouldn't surprise me she make up a whole story she's very manipulative and charming.

[@shannonceleste5557]

Max's storyline was more about being a fish out of water / New kid in school. His closest relationship is with his much younger sister since they recently moved, and he just wants to make friends with other teenagers, but still loves and wants to protect his little sister - just like thaccary at the beginning of the movie.

[@susannamendesmiranda5742]

As someone who is really close to my sister I disagree with Max's storyline being just about a new kid and a cute girl. The first movie is really hard on the witches KILLING children and the first scene is the death of a little sister so imo the fact that Max and Binx team together because they loved their little sisters so much and wanted to protect them from evil is really cute and touching. Even though the first one is a children's movie I always felt afraid and worried about the kids watching the first one because it seemed really scarry and straight foward to the point of witches being bad and dangerous and I think this one falls flat on bringing this feeling.

[@TheStepmonkey]

Exactly

[@RazorRex]

The most infuriating thing about this movie is the fact that the original protagonists are NOWHERE to be seen here. I mean the witches needed “the blood of an enemy” for their spell so why not them? But no instead they are out for the mayor because he’s a descendent of the guy who banished them. So why didn’t you go after him in the first film?!

[@wldhd29]

They weren’t using the same spell in the first movie. They were just going to suck the lives out of the little children in Salem, they didn’t need blood of their enemy. But I did wish the original kids could have been in the movie too.

It's weird how from all the new characters only Becca has a last name. I was SO hoping for Mike to be a Dennison as that would have made his character more important (since the Dennisons were the Sanderson's antagonist) but it'd also give us more between him and the trio. Even a "Mr Dennison, you're in detention" or whatever would have helped sooo much.

[@TheStepmonkey]

Exactly

[@thehauntedtree]

Literally! They didn’t even get banished that hard. They moved like 200ft away AND they got revenge. From their perspective Max JUST killed them

[@RumpledRegina]

About Winnie's finale reaction: I agree with you, because that would make much more sense for her characterisation, that's what I've been missing from that scene. But I didn't mind the finale all together, I just wanted Winnie to go through more emotions and THEN break down and realise that nothing matters without her sisters. Cool idea, hasty execution. I liked the film in general and I liked your pointers very much. I think it's definitely a super fun film and it gets better with rewatches for sure!

[@halfstegasaurus]

Had to come here and fight for my boy Doug Jones (aka Billy Butcherson) however you feel about his character, they definitely wrote his character to be bigger in the sequel because that role is the first in a long line of iconic full body makeup roles. He's THE guy for that (Shape of Water, Pan's Labyrinth, the lead gentleman in Buffy and so much more) Hocus Locus was the start of that legacy and he literally spit live moths out of his mouth for the original movie's practical effects. SO COOL! I'm such a fan of his and was disappointed this wasn't touched on in your video because its one of the most interesting costume details about the franchise in my opinion. I hope anyone else curious can learn about Doug Jones through this comment!

[@theindigoboogeyman243]

I know of Doug Jones as the Baron in What We Do In The Shadows and also as this creepy Willy Wonka-like character whose footage I saw in a fan made Marilyn Manson music video. I think Doug Jones is also a contortionist. I had no idea he was also Billy and the Pale Man. Clearly he's a man of many talents.

[@bro.that.is.adorable.2633]

Hocus Pocus was set up to fail by Disney bc it was released in JULY 1993 so it wouldn’t “compete” with another Halloween movie they were releasing in October

[@jamiejonah5320]

I think that it was a summer theatrical release so it would be released on VHS a couple of weeks before Halloween.

[@RuletheWorldwithsong]

You brought up so many better ideas for the movie than what we got. Winnie’s redemption scene felt so rushed. It would have made so much more sense to have her lash out. And I can’t believe Sarah and Mary started to disappear “thanos snap” style

[@angelfacebmo]

i loved it so much but i also wish Mary had more lines 🥲 I grew up with Kathy Ninamy as Peggy Hill from King of the Hill (watching adult swim/CW when i should’ve been asleep 🤭) so it’s sad to see her not as recognized in the light I personally see her in 😭

[@ohbooyourselves]

The main girl is always a Becca or Tessa 😂

[@댈잨]

I thought it was an incredibly sincere sequel and I loved it. I agree that Winifred's regret for her sisters was uncharacteristic and I wish she would have been ruthless and enraged until the very end! Lol

[@TheStepmonkey]

This movie is without a doubt the most shameful poorly executed cash grab I have ever seen. Who is in charge at Disney?! The film was shallow, soulless, and poorly acted from the supporting characters. The character development was so glossed over and superficial that you never even developed any feelings for anybody. It felt like a bad episode of goosebumps from the 90's. Why wouldn't you try to get Kenny Ortega from the original or a team capable of putting something even slightly cinematic together? No one thought to maybe get a better script writer?! And as a side note, the forced diversity was so obvious and distracting. I'm pretty sure Salem Massachusetts isn't this bizarre looking melting pot of every race where every other spoken line is said by some other ethnicity 🙄

[@notachild5080]

@@TheStepmonkeyforced diversity” and its just a group of teen girls. P.S this is a movie about witches that fly on brooms, surely people of color living is more believable.

[@TheStepmonkey]

@@notachild5080 Nah, it's way more unreal to see people of every race every 2 seconds of the movie lol

[@mwahbeverly]

I honestly found the movie quite cute. I adored the way the movie looked and even when the sisters went inside the store in that one scene. I loved the little representation they added. It surprised me that they added a small drag show and a transgender character in since…y’know…it’s Disney! I will admit that they somewhat missed the marks on some things, and I wouldn’t blame the older generation to be upset over it. For example: The “One Way or Another” part. And some scenes didn’t make that much sense but I got over it. I feel like A LOT of people are wayyy to hard on this movie. I truly don’t think it’s that deep to give it a 1 star rating when in actuality, it wasn’t bad. It’s Disney, so it’s not going to be super scary and things like that, and plus it’s not like one of the movies where you HAVE to see the first one to really understand. The younger generation wouldn’t have to see the first movie to understand this one because it’s basically something completely new. Of course it had its callbacks, which is fine, but if THIS was the first Hocus Pocus movie, they wouldn’t need it. Because it’s new. They honestly just rushed the movie, when they really did not have to do that whatsoever. We were waiting so there was no point of rushing.

[@genericspectator3094]

wait who was the trans character

[@fabiofuoco]

@@genericspectator3094 maybe Kornbread (the drag queen dressed as Mary) but idk

[@TheStepmonkey]

This movie is without a doubt the most shameful poorly executed cash grab I have ever seen. Who is in charge at Disney?! The film was shallow, soulless, and poorly acted from the supporting characters. The character development was so glossed over and superficial that you never even developed any feelings for anybody. It felt like a bad episode of goosebumps from the 90's. Why wouldn't you try to get Kenny Ortega from the original or a team capable of putting something even slightly cinematic together? No one thought to maybe get a better script writer?! And as a side note, the forced diversity was so obvious and distracting. I'm pretty sure Salem Massachusetts isn't this bizarre looking melting pot of every race where every other spoken line is said by some other ethnicity 🙄

[@ruiqiumai323]

I went it to it with low expectations, but actually enjoyed it. The sets and costumes were great, and it felt like there was a lot of attention to detail - I wasn’t expecting the roombas to return like that. The plot was way better than I was expecting as well. Generally, I’ve hated the recent Disney remakes, but this felt like it was more of an entertaining film than just a cash grab.

[@TheStepmonkey]

This movie is without a doubt the most shameful poorly executed cash grab I have ever seen. Who is in charge at Disney?! The film was shallow, soulless, and poorly acted from the supporting characters. The character development was so glossed over and superficial that you never even developed any feelings for anybody. It felt like a bad episode of goosebumps from the 90's. Why wouldn't you try to get Kenny Ortega from the original or a team capable of putting something even slightly cinematic together? No one thought to maybe get a better script writer?! And as a side note, the forced diversity was so obvious and distracting. I'm pretty sure Salem Massachusetts isn't this bizarre looking melting pot of every race where every other spoken line is said by some other ethnicity 🙄

[@MrTwentington]

I was surprised how much I loved the Snapchat filter joke because on paper I would hate that. Like I normally loathe when people update fantastical stories like “and then red riding hood tweeted about the wolf” hate it. But here it makes perfect sense to delude the witches into thinking they are literally glowing now. I love your idea for Cassie to have been the enemy at the start in the town that would’ve been better because the story with the mayor feels like a remnant of a draft that would’ve girlbossed the witches and smash the patriarchy and be good guys actually- which is never who they’re meant to be and I like that they’re still evil witches here. But in that reality the song they would’ve sang would’ve been Devil Woman and that idea alone makes me want to live in that reality. I also think the shop owner should’ve been Ice from the first movie. A good tie in that he was maybe possessed by the book to bring the witches back and I buy that more than the whole “I’ve been obsessed since I was 9 but I couldn’t light the candle because it wouldn’t work” idea with Gilbert because unless something dark happened to that boy there’s no reason he couldn’t have done the candle himself- whereas Ice would have been old enough that saying “I wasn’t a virgin so I couldn’t do it” wouldn’t have been weird. And I get why Billy Butcherson is here I think it would’ve been better if he was just a joke in the flashback intro scene because oh boy has that actor definitely seen pirates of the Caribbean since the first movie 👀 hamming it up with vaguely Britishy accent and cartoonish gestures in every scene. But for all that much like yourself I didn’t go into this movie expecting Oscar gold or a movie to surpass the original. I got what I wanted which was a cute fun halloween movie where the three leading ladies are having fun. As a nostalgia addicted younger millennial who’s almost exactly as old as the original movie, of course I still prefer that one- but I don’t hate this

[@sarahluke7045]

I really liked it. I feel like the production value was high, and was relieved they successfully cast all 3 original Sanderson sisters.

[@JamieBensonTV]

Your rewrite suggestions are so astute. Do you break story or write scripts in your spare time? If not, perhaps you should. Nicely done.

[@TheDimensionDweller]

A redemption arc?? Having Winifred realize she wants to be with her sisters over having absolute power isn't redemption. It's adding depth. The movie made it very clear that she and her sisters were still evil and willing to go on a rampage.

[@whereisconstance]

I was never allowed to watch Hocus Pocus growing up (super strict religious parents ew) and consequently never had nostalgia surrounding it. I watched the original for the first time maybe 3 years ago and LOVED it, but haven’t watched it since. The other night I binged these back to back, and can honestly say Hocus Pocus 2 did a great job! 🖤💚 Yeah there’s a few weird plot points, but I also felt that way about the original. I think the sequel kept the same camp spirit and really honored the source while still being creative and new. Loved it and I think the people that hate it are probably viewing it through an intense lens of nostalgia

[@dianabryan7421]

The sponsorship portion of this video was so fun to watch! I really enjoyed the hair, make-up, attention to detail and staying on theme! The beauty potion part was so cute anyways because of this I will definitely have to check them out!

[@AnABSOLUTEBarbarian]

I’ve said this before: I think the original draft of this was a TV show, not a movie. Not only because of the amount of subplots but because if you think about the storyline set up is that better suited for a TV show. Episodes 1. The Sanderson origin 2. The new character intro, conflict, and relationship to the original story 3. The Billy backstory and new storyline 4. Somewhere in there establishing the parallel to an awkward friendship phase to the imbalance of the Sanderson sister relationship (like they tease Sarah actually being kind of smart in the beginning and that they always had an interest in challenging the status quo and experimenting with the world around them) 5. New Characters come into power 6. Climax and redemption If each of these subplots were hour long episodes of a tv show it would have flowed better. My theory is that having Bette Midler and SJP on for even a mini series would have been crazy expensive and there was a budget. They used a lot of costumes, special effects, etc. AND also millennial nostalgia bait properties in TV format have struggled with finding an audience and retaining viewership beyond nostalgia bait initial interest. But I think Hocus Pocus WAS the vehicle for that. I loved the lore the hinted at but it was never expanded on. Also, just me, I WANTED the girl bossification of Hocus Pocus. It’s like the only property that it will work in. I wanted the new cast to be brought together by girl power…or whatever. I teared up at the ending with Winifred going to her sisters. Witchcraft is so inherently associated with the conversation of gender dynamics and female empowerment it would have been fun to have fun with that in an outrageous and silly way like through the world Hocus Pocus exist in.

[@TheStepmonkey]

"Girl power"?? Are you a 5 y.o? This movie sucked and it would be even worse and tiresome as a tv show.

[@AnABSOLUTEBarbarian]

@@TheStepmonkey …No I’m a millennial. “Girl power” was a catch phrase popularized by the mid 90s pop group the Spice Girls in an attempt to capitalize on the Riot Grrrl Movement that was inherently anti-capitalist therefore mainstream media couldn’t make money off of it. So they had to develop their own versions of it. That’s what I’m saying, I wanted something fun and cheesy like that. A Hocus Pocus remake is a good vehicle for commercial “feminism.”

[@AnABSOLUTEBarbarian]

@@TheStepmonkey I study gender and sit on the DEI committee for our state coalition to end gender based violence so I forget not everyone is familiar with theory and often use jargon. But if you are interested in learning more about it for the sake of context in this dialogue Google scholar has some resources. And there’s an article on noisey called, “How the Spice Girls Ripped ‘Girl Power’ from its Radical Roots,” that’s a light but good read.

[@jamestyler7697]

I also think some of the rising interest in Hocus Pocus over the past decade came in the form of the annual Halloween Spectacular at the Disney Parks, which features actresses in the Sanderson Sister roles who impersonate the three with insane levels of accuracy. Usually involves them teaming up with Oogie Boogie and Dr. Facilier before Maleficent crashes the party and agrees to help them conjure up other villains after they grovel at her feet. Also had a weird tendency to ship Sarah and Dr. Facilier/Shadow Man and make them an item by the end of the show. That also had something to do with the film's growing popularity I'm willing to guess - for those who knew about Nightmare or Princess and the Frog but didn't know Hocus as well. I think its a shame that as nostalgia bait that they didn't at least involve Omri Katz or Vinessa Shaw or Thora Birch in at least some form, especially since at least Vinessa and Thora are still active to some degree (I'm not as sure about Omri). I'm not saying they had to be main characters or anything but they could have had small walk-on roles in a crowd scene or something and that could have sufficed, just as an acknowledgement or something - because as fun as the sisters were in the original, I do think that the main three kids helped to counter balance that energy to prevent it being a complete hamfest. They don't seem to broken about about not being in the movie, but still - would have been a nice touch

[@nettie5102]

I wish that the human side of the story telling with the three friends was stripped back of magic. I would have like to see more of the drama with the boyfriend like how they were treated in the boyfriend's group. Maybe he was nice, but his friends weren't as oblivious. Maybe a scene where they treat Cassie badly as a result of that. Then we see why there is some resentment and misunderstanding on both sides. And I wanted more Halloween small town aesthetic everything was a little too commercialized especially with the large carnival. I think most of the Sanderson Sisters side was great except the end it was kind of anticlimactic. I do wish they kept them evil because that was what was missing the most. I didn't feel a sense of danger from them compared to the original. I just feel like the all-powerful goal was too broad.

Personally I think that we needed more of Mike. He wasn't the stereotypical jock so they could have done something with that as like a continuation of his redemption toward Becca and Tessa. What annoyed me is how the guys were used just to mark off the points instead of actually having them in the finale (Mike passing out, Gilbert coming too late). I'm not saying that they should have stolen the show from Becca, Cassie and Tessa but like... Be a distraction or backup support (in Mike's case as Cassie's boyfriend and friend to the others who wants to make up for his behavior). Would have strengthen their dynamic as that's what I loved from the main trio in the first movie

[@crab2195]

leo 100% made the right decision by choosing what’s eating gilbert grape. his acting in that movie was amazing and i couldn’t see anyone else playing the part better

[@IcyIndigo]

That Sarah costume, during the Care Of ad? SLAYYYYYYY

[@somethingcooliguess]

I was not looking forward to seeing this movie, as we as a society have been burned before by reboots/late sequels. But this review is really encouraging. Also thanks to 7:50, I need to see Mary talk through a sheet mask.

[@zach3803]

the improvements you recommend are incredible! i think you hit every point that ran through my head while watching and then went beyond that with great suggestions that would make the movie feel better paced and more connected. great content, just subscribed!

[@ariannaarriaga7506]

Interesting take and great video. I actually found the teen subplot the most unappealing and forgettable. I didn't like their acting as opposed the first first film, maybe nostogia is by bias but I didn't think they did as well as the young Sanderson sisters, either. I actually loved the young Sanderson sister! I wish there was more of them. I didn't like Becca, I didn't like how mean she was to the boyfriend because it was blatantly obvious he was a himbo and didn't mean to be so rude. The moment they had a 'revelation' that he is just that dumb, I thought to my self, 'wow, really? you just found out he dumb?'Plus, she suddenly gets powers out of no where? Like why? I think the 'new kid trope' is old, but so is the first movie, so I don't hold that against it. The 'miscommunication trope' is also very old and wasn't executed better. Especially, when it was revealed that they tried to hangout, I thought, wow, you know your friends can have other friends, right? It hurts that your friends don't spend as much time with you, but that's what happens. I wish they explored more of that and the 'power of friendship' would have been more believable.

[@lanah.5741]

I agree with you. The teen subplot was very uninteresting to me. I thought that the acting was flat and kinda boring. The himbo boyfriend and the young Sandersons were the only ones fun to watch. The original kids were at least animated and gave their characters a personality. Also, even though they mention Max being the “new kid on the block” a bunch of times, I feel like, in the end, it’s about him and Dani’s brother-sister relationship more than anything else. All that to say, I thought I was going to hate the sequel but over all I liked it. It could’ve been better but I still enjoyed seeing the Sanderson Sisters again!

[@CatValentine1995]

The apple thing with the mayor was annoying, & the girls having the same color pallets as the witches was a lil too on the nose, making the ending predictable. For what it is, I don't hate it, definitely could've been more thought out though.

[@Star2Be5394]

Here’s something interesting. I found the message of sisterhood and feminine power much more believable and impactful in Hocus Pocus 2, a movie largely dependent upon the fantastical elements of magic, than something like The Craft Legacy, a movie that was supposed to be more grounded and realistic with its depiction of the supernatural. Overall, I really liked this sequel. It was a fun bit of nostalgia that I was very happy to see wasn’t a complete rehash of the original.

[@poppinc8145]

The reason why all these sequels suck is because they're made by completely different people. So they don't understand what the source material is, they're just projecting and guessing, and are inconsistent towards the world they're supposed to be a continuation of. - _Hocus Pocus 2_ didn't bring the director or the writers from the original even though they're clearly active and even did a documentary vignette preceding _HP2._ - _Mean Girls 2_ also didn't bring the director and writers from the original. - _Life-Size 2_ had Tyra Banks as an executive producer (she had no creative role in the original) but the original writers weren't brought in (one of the original co-writers was also the original director). Tyra was too expressive unlike the original where she was more of a doll; there was too many modern cultural references; they cast a 29-year-old woman to play the girl instead of a teenager; and nobody wants to hear Tyra rap! Cringefest.

[@poppinc8145]

I really hope they don't fuck up the _Freaky Friday_ sequel this way. Just bring in the original director (Mark Waters) and writers (Leslie Dixon, Heather Hache) from the 2003 film.

[@sketchycat6223]

I like how the first movie had the kids going against the witches alone. Having Gilbert as part of the plot felt so off. Also the plot of the one girl having a himbo boyfriend was so strange, I was totally waiting for him to get turned into a cat- a La Thackery Binx. It would’ve gotten reversed at the end of the movie and had been a good callback to the original.

[@labyrinthwomb]

I was excited to watch it, but I personally found it very disappointing and uninteresting. The flashback scenes gave me live action Beauty and the Beast vibes ("Teaching another girl to read? Isn't one enough?"). The live action roombas may have been the most interesting characters.

[@shannonceleste5557]

I thought HP2 was awful 😭 I physically cringed the whole time that the Sanderson sisters weren't onscreen (other than that blatant 10 minute Walgreens ad 😒)

[@Y2Kikii]

Same here! My fiance and I stopped watching after that scene kept dragging. It was too much lol

[@ninalove3044]

Same! When they came out singing, I was like oh noooooo, whyyyyy?! (I know they sang in the last one, but that was to put spells on people) overall it was absolute trash!

[@lilil9752]

I laughed many times, but also groaned for the lazy writing, they went on a safe route when they got a chance on using a good witch as the main character

[@TheStepmonkey]

This movie is without a doubt the most shameful poorly executed cash grab I have ever seen. Who is in charge at Disney?! The film was shallow, soulless, and poorly acted from the supporting characters. The character development was so glossed over and superficial that you never even developed any feelings for anybody. It felt like a bad episode of goosebumps from the 90's. Why wouldn't you try to get Kenny Ortega from the original or a team capable of putting something even slightly cinematic together? No one thought to maybe get a better script writer?! And as a side note, the forced diversity was so obvious and distracting. I'm pretty sure Salem Massachusetts isn't this bizarre looking melting pot of every race where every other spoken line is said by some other ethnicity 🙄

[@lilil9752]

@@TheStepmonkey i agree the film was shallow and a souless cashgrab but you say "forced diversity" when it´s actually just people of color...existing? the main girl group is supposed to be in modern times. I don't mind the main girl being black, but i think the subplot of her being a witch was completely wasted and used only for the sake of solving the conflict quickly , not to say she was very bland and generic (which also applies to the white friend, who is actually even blander, don't know about the ethniticity of the "quirky" friend but she is also pretty bad, all her thing was screaming) but thats on the writing, not her racial background

[@mystii8134]

I watched it with my 11 year old sister, neither of us particularly enjoyed it. It was boring and predictable and there weren't many interesting moments. The characters were also bland and weren't enjoyable to either of us.

[@Patchouliprince]

Totally agree! I didn’t love the new one, but I didn’t hate it. I will probably watch it again next year and if it’s enjoyable enough I’ll add it to the annual Halloween watch along with the first film. It’s not as iconic as the first movie, but the witches are the reason to watch and they’re just as good in this one

[@ThomasPoulin]

My friend worked on this movie! Every scene in the woods she worked on

[@kstewar3]

Did anyone else feel like out of the 3 sisters, SJP's heart wasn't in it?

[@liilyanarose]

Yeah I noticed that too!

[@katyp564]

The Roombas were an absolute joy. It was a cute movie. I enjoyed it for what it was. I'm of the generation that grew up with the original, but I was too scared by Bette Midler's look to watch it as a kid.

[@dannimajig]

Funnily enough I actually watched Hocus Pocus for the first time ever today and I found it so unbelievably boring as did my 14 year old niece, I’m so shocked at its cult classic status

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I feel this was like no way home for hocus pocus fans. It was fan service, but they tried to do something original. They brought new characters that parallel the witches. They gave backstories to the witches, but they did not hide how evil they are. I also can’t be mad at a movie that made us invested in the mayor’s journey to get his apple to only have it stolen and him failing at obtaining another. Just give the man his perfect caramel apple.

[@3katfox]

I'm honestly tired of movies doing this absolutely stupid "reform the bad guy" thing Ffs they k!lled kids for a beauty treatment and sold their souls for power and they were freaking fabulous while doing it! Just let evil be evil, it's more fun that way and gives the protagonists higher stakes and something to actually fight for The ending basically amounted to ✨️the power of friendship ✨️ Which is stupid And totally overdone

[@theactivelion4006]

Yes!! I absolutely agree. I hate how Disney is just giving all the villains backstory’s and redemption, it just doesn’t fit with this kind of movie either.

[@russell_j_]

I loved the sequel, also that small scene of the sanderson sisters passing by the window of a queer couple cuddling on a couch and watching the original Hocus Pocus was a really sweet and tender moment

[@LexAproRxxx]

I totally agree with you on the weak ending. When they said “you lose what you value most” I totally thought they were going to lose their youth and beauty

[@oc2538]

I didn't enjoy it, I couldn't invest in the girls friendship group. I ended up falling asleep after the CVS part. Then tried to rewatch it but ended up scrolling on IG so missed it all again. I actually thought the children playing the younger sisters were awful. I also don't think it's fair to compare the plot or storyline of a movie made in 1993 to something made in 2021. I actually felt more moved by the storyline of a brother saving his sister. Yes there are a lot of issues with the first movie but I find it far more enjoyable even though I'm 38 now with kids. I may try watching it again in when my children are older.

[@alandominicfong6907]

Where the new film falls flat for me is everything to do with Becca and her friends. The film does not do anything for the audience to care about them, and they end up being unlikable. The softening of the Sanderson Sisters ends up sacrificing all of the new characters, because the Sandersons, who are already favorite characters, become more sympathetic characters.

[@jaymccray1763]

I went into it with very low expectations and came out of it very pleasantly surprised. Cause I only rolled my eyes maybe twice and one of them, the roombas, actually paid off like you said and I was happy about that

[@kferruzcajm]

My girls weren't around in 1978 for when "One Way or Another" released, and you expect us to believe that Winnie knows every word of it. In the original movie it was a song that they've heard in the party, so that's why they know it. So idk... it felt off.

[@cedricjones7560]

You should do a video covering Halloweentown and how different the last movie is from the first three!

[@thegirlabides6851]

In the Leo alt universe, I hope they cast a real disabled person to play the role of Arnie in What's Eating Gilbert Grape. That would've opened up the world in a whole new way, decades ago.

[@RoseRamblesYT]

I really enjoyed your thoughts on how the script could have been stronger. I was a little weary going in to the film, having grown up with the 1993 version and loving it, but I was pleasantly surprised. I think it stands pretty well on its own, and I too can see it becoming a Halloween classic. I think the boyfriend helping to vanquish the witches would have been so fun, especially so Cassie's friends can start to form a friendship with him (or at least get along with him). I was so glad that he didn't turn out to be a jerk, just a himbo who is a bit insensitive without meaning to be.

[@ohbooyourselves]

I liked it as well I'm a sucker for witches 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@atinyevil1383]

I loved the new Hocus Pocus. I loved that the Sanderson sisters were super campy, even though almost nothing else was. I like that they were given a sympathetic backstory, but thay doesn't make them any less evil. I thought the whole thing was fun and silly.

[@EmilyParagraph]

i have similar feelings about it. not as good as the first, but still entertaining enough to be put in my annual watchlist. i did like gilbert and billy's subplot, tho, if only bc i like the concept of gilbert and doug jones is a great actor. im also a sucker for sentimentality so i liked the ending your fixes sound pretty good and probably would have elevated the movie to be equal to the first, though that still leaves the initial problem of the whole sequel being a product of monetizable nostalgia ill be honest tho, i kind of want a series following the new coven, and maybe they have a way to contact the sanderson sisters for witchy advice. the ending implies that the sandersons' witch mentor(?) was still alive and kicking, so i think theres potential there. so long as it remains silly and over the top and campy, id watch it.

[@bria8481]

I really hated it, the opening scene was too long. The music did not fit the theme and the dialogue was very choppy. I liked the girls I thought they had a cool dynamic, but even still the witches were the worst part of the movie. The Walgreens scene was just blatant product placement. Also the humor was just off this movie. Also the dude who owned the witch shop (Gilbert?) I just felt like his motive was underdeveloped. The ending was also unsatisfying, I would have rather seen the sisters fight, especially since Winifred has always treated her sisters so terribly.

[@emiliepryor51]

Thank you. I was starting to think I was the only one.

[@MioMaiaRaia]

It was fine to have on in the background for the Halloween vibes, but it was meh, to me at least. I like the Sanderson sisters to be campy, evil, child-eaters, I didn’t really want or need a tragic backstory.

[@halliekellman5612]

Love these reviews!! So thorough

[@Starfire10982]

Honestly, I loved the film cuz it makes way to have a Hocus Pocus-verse on the Disney channel. I think this was just what we needed.

[@itsmeharperjacksons6633]

My only complaint is Kenny Ortega exuberance wasn't in this film; areas where it should've been high energy fell flat.

[@MickeyGirl518]

I completely agree, I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would and was really pleasantly surprised. Definitely worth a rewatch!!

[@caroroj2395]

It was a let down for me - the first didn’t insult the boys or men from being complete total oblivious idiots, and this is the problem with films these days. They sold their souls and this was too extra empathetic to child killers - because when it gets down to it - that’s what they were.

[@vietbluecoeur]

It’s a fun sequel, but I very much agree that it feels like it would’ve been more consistent with Winnifred’s character to lash out and remain ruthless to the very end, especially out of something like loss, rather than start weeping and going so far as to beg her enemies for help. I don’t mind that she explicitly loves her sisters above all; I hate that that’s written into her in a way that renders her weirdly vulnerable and toothless for a cruel, child-eating witch.

[@priestessmikokikyo77]

Winifreds costume is "brighter" than the first one she wore in the movie it has little birds sewen on it and her star clips holding her gown in place as been replaced by one big pentogram looking clasp. The lenth of the gown is a bit shorter than that compared to the flowing underskirts of the dress. Her sleves have ruffles and flowing silk lining giving her gown more of a elegant look. Her dress in both movies is Beautiful! Im a woman who cant sew a dress.

[@mrslvw]

This has been teased at for years. In the first SATC movie, SJP even wears a witch hat while shopping with Miranda for Halloween.

[@Jubileeluna]

I prefer the characters from the first film 😅❤Enjoyed both films ❤

[@Bluebox87]

I disagree bout the kids from the original. Were they great performances? No, not really. But they had a lot of charm and charisma. The new trio of girlfriends was horrible. The lead in particular was a dull, wet blanket. The himbo was far more fun and entertaining. It's a shame he was so sidelined.

[@chaiguy2930]

People do forget the original being a production mess somewhat- they cut lots of plot content and there are existing scenes that we will never see possibly. (example: the witches running amok in a grocery store) Upon rewatching the movie you start to notice these errors and inconsistencies but overall it is a silly Halloween romp. Disney really didn't know what to do with the property as it was deemed a failure. Not only that, but it was a movie about child hungry witches with "satanic" books, and lewd jokes at times. Most parents expected something more family-friendly from Disney. But over time, the beloved movie "stewed" in the cauldron that is our collective memories, watching it yearly on TV or re-releases, and it became a pop culture juggernaut for Halloween. Soon more merch became avaliable, and the Disney Parks even debuted a Hocus Pocus Fireworks Stage Show in 2015. The sequel originally was also skewed- Disney wanted it as a Disney Channel exclusive and as a reboot, but Bette Midler shot that idea down. The Sequel Book was released, and teased the idea of what the Sanderson Sister's return could *look* like again, but most fans did not want this story told. Finally, production worked with Bette, Sarah, and Kathy on some ideas, and we got Hocus Pocus 2. I like it, but I can also see where plotlines become messy, and more could have been desired. The Sisters were somewhat *nicer* and less nasty witches than before as well as their dark magical practices, (But this could be due to a rebranding of them being Villains to anti-heroes as they are beloved by fans) due to Disney's modern influences and audience. Hocus Pocus 2 a "soft reboot". HOWEVER. I hope to see my favorite witches fly one more time in a proper film, that borrows on concepts for the original movie (The witches originally used "candy crows" to lure children) parts of the sequel book, (but tread carefully!) and Hocus Pocus 2. And I want the return of the original cast, maybe to help the new witches in some way? We know that the Mother Witch is still alive from early Salem, so she has been snacking on life forces from the townsfolk for a long time now. And she also wants Witches to rule over Salem. Perhaps the new coven can defend the town from her influence with the help of the original cast, (and possibly the return of the Sanderson Sisters?) Hope to see them run amok again someday!

[@bauhausweimar595]

This is one of the best reviews I’ve seen so far!

[@ArrowOdenn]

I enjoyed HP2. Something I found interesting that NOBODY has mentioned is how the girls reflect the Sanderson Sister's colour pallets, foreshadowing their eventual joining as a new coven. Becca wears a green outfit (Winnie), Izzy has a long red cardigan (Mary) and Cassie wears a pink/purple tie-dye t-shirt which isn't as obvious but mirror's Sarah's colour pallet and the tie-dye shirt worn by Max in the 90s. I thought they were nice touches. Also, whenever I hear your intro music I find myself humming "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I can't unhear it. Was that deliberate or just a coincidence?

[@jerriandfriends]

Hocus Pocus 2 is one of the better (and arguably one of the most thorough) sequels/reboots. I watched it with my 8 and 10 year old niece and nephew, and honestly think it holds up. Will definitely be adding to the yearly halloween rotation.

[@dyani4312]

could u please do a video for the new monster high and how you would restyle them. love everything u do

[@tiaraw872]

Eventho the 1st one is for kids I feel the 2nd is more kid friendly idk why something about it feels less “risky” with how they did things compared to the 1st. But I liked it, they did well.

[@RmnGnzlz]

I always said the only thing missing from the first one was to blame the patriarchy for something that makes no sense. 11/10.

[@nicholasmandigo1390]

I thought the movie was okay. However the end really kinda took me out of it. Simply because of the fact is. Yes they had bad things happen to them. However they murdered children. Then attempted to murder more. Kinda hard to reconcile that in my opinion.

[@PeachesBonV]

They need to hire you to fix scripts and make them more interesting

[@tomas9830]

i agree with Tessa, the Mayor's story line was kinda unnecesary but i get, kids are gonna like that silly humor about that candy apple. But i laughed so hard during the movie, i've really really liked it!

[@dilemma1616]

honestly, this is just something i find annoying i mot live action movies. but the lighting just feels to dark for me. for example, with Hocus Pocus 1, the lighting and surroundings was more warms and has that classic American Halloween vibe you see in movies, or you have experienced in your childhood. it feels more welcoming, and fit's the mood since even the villains have comedic aspects to them. however, in Hocus Pocus 2. everything feel so moody and dark, it reminds me of a Riverdale episode and it just feels so cold and de-coloured. I wish they would make the setting feel warmer since it's meant to be set in Autumn. if there where more stronger reds, oranges, and yellows, it would make a nice contrast. if there where halloween lanterns or pumpkins that are used to light up the set, it would feel more nostalgic. even changing up the wardrobe a bit so it is less blacks and whites, and more richer purples and oranges. i think my favourite set scenes in the movie are in the 'magic' store. because instead of harsh blacks and misty fog. there is lots of rustic brown woods with the balance of oranges and creams. if they did this, then the transitions from day to night would just feel more natural for me. even though the sky is blue, the colours don't match with it. and when it's night, thats when they can go all edgy and emo to give it that, 'omg wow, this looks like a fun nostalgic movie' to then go. 'omg why does the night feel so scary'. y'know what i mean? idk, this may just be me being picky/annoying. but i see it in so many movies. I JUST WANT SOME COLOUR BACK.

[@sarinamoraddi]

Watched it yesterday and now seeing this vid , how does this channel manage to be so accurate ?!

[@mem5091]

Bring back the “every outfit ***** wore in *movie name*” it was ur best content and idk why they’re all deleted

[@brandykathleen1098]

The new characters felt boring to me. They just feel too disney. I fell asleep halfway through, but I found it cringy how we just get thrust into these friends "fight" without a backstory and i dont care what theyre fighting about. Atleast with the first film, Max was going through being the new kid, and we see his parents and little sister, etc. I didnt get too far into it, but why do disney films now have teeny boppers run around without parents? Max and Dannies parents were shown and had a reason to be absent, the halloween adult dance. I didnt believe that the young sanderson sisters were a part of the 17th century... they felt too modern still. Or just campy. And again living alone without adult supervision. I wish they made them a little older and more normal acting, just already outcasts. I didnt need the extra witch. This sequel did not keep the adult jokes, the mention of the devil and sandersons selling their soul, and they washed over that realism. They made them too nice. What made the film great was washed over to not offend the new generation or piss off parents with language. Im done... i have more but ill end it here.

[@ronsorage78]

i thought it was...ok... but likely would have been better if it had more to do with the original cast like the book. them trying to make the sisters sympathetic was awful. ruined all the rest of it for me. its like, hey Disney! its ok to let your bad guys just be bad guys. they dont need redemptions. just over all meh at best.

[@littleredsubmarine]

I really wanted to like it. But it was pretty abysmal for me. I’m glad you enjoyed it though.

[@lkf8799]

I like the re-write suggestions. Especially Mike becoming more like Steve from Stranger Things 😉 As soon as the movie ended I said I wanted more music 🥺 and a song popped up in the end credits 😆

[@jennifereccles8855]

I was excited and more than a little nervous about the sequel when it was announced because I do have a soft spot for the first film. It met my expectations almost exactly. It's a disney movie sequel in every way possible. A little rushed, a little worse script, a little modernized, a little goofy, and full of references and callbacks to the first film. I enjoyed it. It's not going to overtake Hocus Pocus 1 in my heart, but it doesn't ruin it either. I think the upset online has been from this weird black and white culture that's developed. Things are seen as either the best thing to ever exist or they're viewed as trash. We have this skewed approach to mediocre things where we want to sort them into the "good" box or the "bad" box without giving them the space to just be "okay". So now there's like five people screaming on Twitter about how Hocus Pocus 2 is the "worst movie ever" because it was just okay. There's a lot of hate online for mediocrity. 🤷‍♀️

[@elliiiii2]

Love these reviews!

[@marshmellowboims]

I loved it! I think I loved how it really came down to sisterhood and I’m very close with my sisters so the ending just touched my heart 💕💕

[@laragiardini8119]

I liked Hocus Pocus 2 much more than I wanted to 😀I am hoping all the subplots will be developed in a TV series!

[@jazminenichole1]

My honest opinions are kinda back and forth , while I enjoyed some parts of the movie like Becca being a witch and her friendship with Izzy, I found other parts of the movie to become boring or cringy. The part that made no sense was billy butcherson like he wasn’t really a main character in the first movie so I don’t know why they chose to bring him back

[@michaelpetronzio1402]

Hey Modern Gurlz can you make a video about the outfits in Good and Evil

[@kari6222]

It could have been worse I suppose, but it was just ok. I hated the songs though!

[@fitzytail896]

My fave part was definitely the CVS store and using the swiffer and the vacuum robot!!