Hocus Pocus: The Witch Is Back Hocus Pocus is a cult classic film released in 1993 and directed by Kenny Ortega. The movie revolves around three witches who return to Salem, Massachusetts, after being accidentally summoned by a teenager named Max, played by Omri Katz. The three witches, known as the Sanderson Sisters, were executed in the 17th century for practicing dark magic. Now, back from the dead, they seek to regain their youth and continue their reign of terror. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy portray the trio of witches brilliantly. Bette Midler's performance as the leader of the group, Winifred Sanderson, is particularly memorable with her over-the-top theatrics and comedic timing.
“Hocus Pocus” star Bette Midler performs as her character, Winifred Sanderson, as part of the 2015 Divine Intervention Tour in Chicago.
As we now live in the age of sequels, remakes and reboots, it was not a surprise to fans when Disney announced that the Sanderson Sisters would be back to haunt and torture the children of Salem, 29 years after they were first bewitched. As we now live in the age of sequels, remakes and reboots, it was not a surprise to fans when Disney announced that the Sanderson Sisters would be back to haunt and torture the children of Salem, 29 years after they were first bewitched.
Bette Midler's performance as the leader of the group, Winifred Sanderson, is particularly memorable with her over-the-top theatrics and comedic timing. Sarah Jessica Parker adds a touch of charm as her sister Sarah, while Kathy Najimy brings the laughs as the ditzy Mary Sanderson. The film's humor is one of its strongest aspects, with plenty of witty one-liners and physical comedy.
‘Hocus Pocus 2’: The witches are back
“Hocus Pocus” star Bette Midler performs as her character, Winifred Sanderson, as part of the 2015 Divine Intervention Tour in Chicago.
Everyone’s favorite witches have made their comeback this fall, as “Hocus Pocus 2” premiered on Disney Plus on Sept. 30, 2022. Today, most movie sequels are just a cash grab for the box office. However, the highly anticipated sequel to “Hocus Pocus” is leaving many wondering if it will ruin the magic of the original or be an even greater success.
As we now live in the age of sequels, remakes and reboots, it was not a surprise to fans when Disney announced that the Sanderson Sisters would be back to haunt and torture the children of Salem, 29 years after they were first bewitched.
“Hocus Pocus is such a good Halloween classic that a second movie would most likely be just as good as the first,” said Guilford first-year Zoe Whisnant, who has not seen the sequel just yet but has high expectations for what the movie has in store.
As the sequel to “Hocus Pocus” has been awaited by fans for many years, its release has been met with mixed reviews, with many pointing out its lack of magic and dark humor when compared to the original movie. The challenge for sequels to a beloved film, especially one such as “Hocus Pocus,” is maintaining just enough of the original without being repetitive with the plot, or confusing those who may not have watched the original film but may plan to watch the sequel.
“Hocus Pocus just doesn’t seem like a movie I would actually like, so I’ve never bothered to watch it before, so I most likely won’t watch the second one either since I haven’t even seen the original one,” said first-year Cackie Hopkins.
While “Hocus Pocus” is considered a Halloween classic by many, there still are a few people, some of whom you can find here at Guilford, who have little to no love for the Sanderson Sisters when it comes to fall and all things witchy.
“Hocus Pocus 2” is both a prequel and sequel to the story of the Sanderson sisters, played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. The movie opens in Salem in 1653, telling the sisters’ origin story. The audience then learns that the sisters were shunned from the village in which they lived, leaving them to seek refuge in the nearby woods where they are taken care of by Mother Witch, played by Hannah Waddingham.
“It was good, but not better than the original,” said Rylee Lehman. “I think the long gap between the movies is one of the reasons a lot of people probably won’t like the movie.”
With the return of the Sanderson sisters this fall, many will watch “Hocus Pocus 2” in hopes of experiencing the magic that the sisters originally brought fans in 1993. Although the film wasn’t a blockbuster hit when it first premiered, it is now considered a Halloween classic, inspiring television specials and Halloween costumes every year. Because there are so many years between “Hocus Pocus” and its sequel, expectations for “Hocus Pocus 2” are sky-high. Will “Hocus Pocus 2” live up to the expectations of fans, or leave them wishing the Sanderson Sisters remained the dust that Max Dennison left behind in 1993?
- Bette Midler
- Cackie Hopkins
- Hannah Waddingham
- Hocus Pocus 2
- Kathy Najimy
- Rylee Lehman
- Sarah Jessica Parker
While “Hocus Pocus” is considered a Halloween classic by many, there still are a few people, some of whom you can find here at Guilford, who have little to no love for the Sanderson Sisters when it comes to fall and all things witchy.
The Sanderson Sisters' fish-out-of-water experiences in the modern world provide ample opportunity for laughs. Their encounters with items such as a vacuum cleaner, a bus, and even a zombie make for memorable and hilarious scenes. Hocus Pocus also explores themes of family, friendship, and bravery. Max, along with his younger sister Dani, and his crush Allison, teams up with a talking cat named Binx, who was once a boy and has been cursed to roam as a feline. Together, they must stop the witches from fulfilling their plan of sucking the life force out of all the children in Salem. The film's soundtrack is a standout, with catchy songs like "I Put a Spell on You" performed by Bette Midler. This song, in particular, has become a Halloween staple and is often performed at live events and parties. Hocus Pocus wasn't an immediate success upon its release, but it has gained a massive following over the years, becoming a Halloween tradition for many. Its popularity led to an obsession with the Sanderson Sisters and calls for a sequel or a reboot. In 2022, Disney announced that a sequel titled "Hocus Pocus 2: Rise of the Elderwitch" is in development. In conclusion, Hocus Pocus is a beloved Halloween film that has stood the test of time. Its witty humor, memorable performances, and catchy songs have made it a favorite among audiences of all ages. With a sequel on the way, fans are excited to see the Sanderson Sisters return and cast their spell once again..
Reviews for "From VHS to Streaming: The Witch's Resurgence in Hocus Pocus"
1. Name: Jane - Rating: 1/5
Review: "Hpcud pocis the wktch is back" was such a disappointment. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to follow the story. The characters were shallow and lacked any depth, making it hard to connect with or care about their journey. The writing style was also subpar, filled with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. Overall, this book felt like a rushed and poorly executed attempt at a fantasy novel. I would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Name: Mark - Rating: 2/5
Review: While "Hpcud pocis the wktch is back" did have an interesting concept, I found the execution lacking. The pacing was uneven, with moments of excitement followed by long stretches of dullness. The dialogue was uninspiring and the character development was minimal at best. Additionally, there were several plot holes and inconsistencies that left me frustrated and confused. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and expected more from the author.
3. Name: Samantha - Rating: 2/5
Review: "Hpcud pocis the wktch is back" started off promising, but quickly lost its charm. The writing style was disjointed and confusing, making it hard to immerse myself in the story. The characters lacked depth and felt like stereotypes, making it difficult to empathize with their struggles. The plot seemed contrived and predictable, offering little surprise or excitement. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it to others.
4. Name: Liam - Rating: 1/5
Review: I struggled to finish "Hpcud pocis the wktch is back" as it lacked any compelling elements. The story was repetitive and the pacing was incredibly slow. The characters were one-dimensional and seemed to lack any growth or development throughout the book. I found myself constantly questioning the decisions made by the protagonist, as they often appeared illogical and without purpose. Overall, I was not impressed with this novel and found it to be a waste of time.