Hocus Pocus 2, the highly anticipated nostalgia filled sequel to the original Disney film, directed by Anne Fletcher has a perfect spooky-not-scary tone with both intentionally and unintentionally hilarious lines, and three iconic performances from Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

The film begins back when the three witches were young girls. We learn that Winifred ( Taylor Handerson) was being forced to marry a young man by the Reverend of the town. He threatened to take away his sisters so the three girls ran away into the woods, where we learn how the book came into their possession. Here we are introduced to Mother Witch ( Hannah Weddingham) and the living version of Winifred’s young “lover” Billy Butcherson( Austin J. Ryan).

Fast forward to present day two high school girls Becca played ( Whitney Peak) and Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) accidentally lit a black flame candle while in the dark woods. Now they must stop the Sanderson sisters from taking revenge on Mayor Traske ( Tony Hale), who is a descendant of the Reverend. Along with that the Sanderson sisters learn to sort of coexist with modern technology. Disney definitely made a huge mistake by not releasing it in the movie theater as there are clearly moments built in for the entire cinematic experience.

There are also some amazing special effects in this film! One that greatly improved was flying, this time the effect was created by attaching the brooms to a truck covered with a blue screen. Along with that some fun facts about the films
– It was filmed in Rhode Island instead of Salem
– Adam Shankman ( known for directing “Hairspray”, “Step up”, and the upcoming “Disenchanted”) was the original – director for “Hocus Pocus 2”.
– Kathy Najimi (Mary Sanderson) improvised most of her funny lines.

Though there are some minor detail changes to the visuals of the characters as the turn on Mary Sanderson’s mouth switching sides, to the original story like the sisters getting the book from Mother Witch instead of the Devil himself. Overall the film is a jaw-dropping family film with thrilling scenes and a bittersweet ending.

The movie runs 1 hour and 43 minutes and is rated PG.